Dojo Ecoshop

Tucked away in Manchester's old textile district is a wonderful souinding source of ethical and eco beds and furnishing.

We are a small, independent company with strong roots in the textile heart of Manchester, we’ve been making tough, beautiful furniture here since 1990. We left our jobs in scientific research to set up a sustainable business where we could be responsible for the ethical and environmental impact of every aspect of our actions. We wanted to extend our holistic outlook on living to the way we worked too, as a positive and practical force for fairness, healthy living and a sound environment.

Our approach has always been simple and down to earth, we use the best organic and natural materials to produce well designed, functional eco goods that are made to be used, to be enjoyed and to last. We are committed to fair trade from start to finish, from sourcing ethically produced fabrics and fillings to honest pricing of our products.

Our journey has been challenging, exciting and creative and would mean nothing without the support and inspiration of family, friends, producers, suppliers and of course our customers. We look forward to developing more of our plans for new products and meeting new people along the Way.

Sarah and Jonathan

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Ethical Business

Devon's £3billion wind farm

The world's largest offshore wind farm could be built off the north coast of Devon. If it goes ahead it could provide nearly all of the county's electricity, and there are plans to supplement it with tidal power schemes.

As this article appears in the Daily Mail expect the usual NIMBY nonsense in the comments.

Technorati tag: Devon, Wind Power, Offshore Wind Power

Gordon Brown's eco-towns

Gordon Brown is getting on teh home ownership bandwagon, hoping to outdo Thatcher's grand vision. The promising part of his pronouncement is a call for "eco-towns", to be powered locally from sustainable sources.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Gordon Brown

Green China

Chin has the potential to be one of the countries worst hit by- as well as one of the prime causes of- global warming. So, thankfully, there is a growing Green awareness in the country, with solar water heaters popular in even the poorest areas and efforts to curb pollution before it kills too many rivers and destroys too much land. It can't hurt the expanding economy that they're moving more directly to efficient systems either.

via BoingBoing

Technorati tag: China

Golly G-Wiz

Boris Johnson on the G-Wiz electric car and Government efforts to destroy it.

Technorati tag: G-Wiz, Boris Johnson, Electric Car

Become a Domestic Energy Assessor

dea-training.co.uk is the National Home Energy Rating scheme's sites for people who are interested in assessing homes for Energy Performance Certificates to be issued with Home Information Packs. NHER will train and accredit you, when accreditation terms are agreed upon, for £3,250 + VAT (£2,750 + VAT if you are already an experienced practitioner in the field). I don't know if career development loans would cover this, I may do some research.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Home Information Pack

The Community Recycling Network

It can be hard disposing of waste sensibly and ethically. No matter how well meaning, your local council is likely to send you round in circles trying to find the right department or service. However, there are a lot of community based programmes out there that make creative use of the things everyday folks leave behind.

The Community Recycling Network tries to keep track of all these groups, allowing you to search by various criteria for the one best suited. They also produce rather nice directories, I picked up the Community Waste Network North West one on Saturday at the Green Architecture event.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse

Manchester Campaign Against Climate Change Carnival

Greater Manchester Campaign Against Climate Change will be holding a carnival on Saturday 30th June in the Peace GArdens near St. Peter's Square. You can download a pdf of the flier to print out and distribute.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Climate Change

Anatomy of a green roof

Anatomy of a green roof
Originally uploaded by spinneyhead.

Amongst the talks at the Green Architecture Event on Saturday was one on green roofs, given by Jeff Sorrill of the Green Roof Centre. Amongst the things I learnt was that you don't want too much organic matter on your roof- an 80:20 to 90:10 mix of rubble and soil is best- because then only the hardiest plants can survive on it. Make your roof too nutritious and you run the risk of getting larger plants with more active roots that will push the weight limits and try to work their way into your building.

A section of green roof was brought along in a fish tank and set up on a table.

Ecology Building Society hits 10,000!

The Ecology Building Society, which is dedicated to providing mortgages for Green projects, has reached the 10,000 saver mark. Accounts with the society provide the funds for mortgages on renovation or eco new builds and more esoteric schemes such as small woodland purchases for protection and conservation (pdf).

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Mortgage

The Ecopod

Looking like the the rocket ship from Georges Méliès Voyage dans la Lune, ecopodhomes are prefabricated 4 metre diameter structures (6 metre diameter coming soon) that are built off site and can be erected in 2 hours. They can be connected to mains water and electricity or built "off-the-grid".

We have set out to produce a modern comfortable home, which will have the minimum impact on the environment by cutting energy requirements and costs by up to 90% and producing virtually no CO2 emissions.

We want to demonstrate the savings that can be achieved through this pioneering design and innovative off site construction methods

Technorati tag: EcoHouse

The Micro Compact Home

The Micro Compact Home, or m-ch, is an effort to create a tiny space that is still liveable in. It would fit in a large parking bay, future versions will come with solar panels and a wind turbine to make it energy independent. I'd need to get rid of a lot of my possessions before I could live in one, and I don't yet know where I'd want to put it.

Each cube costs $96,000, including delivery anywhere in Europe. So if I start saving now I might know where I want to put it by the time I can afford it.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse

The 200mpg supercar

The Velozzi is a concept car promising supercar performance- 0 to 60 in 3 seconds and a 200mph top speed- with 200mpg fuel consumption. It achieves this by recharging its batteries with a micro-turbine which can use any "heavy fuel"- such as gasoline, ethanol, methanol, diesel or bio diesel. It's also super light, being built out of composites and liquid metal.

The research and development company behind the concept wanted to produce the most spectacular demonstration of the technology possible. The use of a turbine to charge the batteries means the car isn't tied to electrical supply points and the versatility of teh fuels means it can use the existing petrol infrastructure. Everyday production vehicles are going to be heavier and less efficient, obviously, but still a vast improvement on current motorcars.

via Jalopnik

Technorati tag: Electric car, Micro turbine

Supermarkets against excess packaging? Who'd have thought

Asda are setting up a pilot scheme where they will collect examples of over packaging from customers to build a case to present to their suppliers. The Daily Mail is supporting it because they think it will mean a return to weekly refuse collections.

I try to buy as much as possible from the local grocers, which reduces waste quite substantially. I just need to remember to take my backpack with me so they don't put everything into a carrier bag.

Technorati tag: Packaging, Shopping

Green architecture event in Manchester - Saturday 28th April

The Green Architecture Event is taking place at the CUBE Gallery and MERCi sustainability centre this Saturday. CUBE is also running an exhibition on Green Modernism at the moment which I've been meaning to check out.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Green Architecture

Wind turbines on Blackpool promenade

From Manchester Evening News-

TWO wind turbines are being set up on Blackpool's promenade to help power the resort's famous illuminations.

In May, a third will join the pair, which cost £147,000 each, and together it is hoped they will cut £13,250 from the town's annual energy bill.

They will sit on the front, close to the Sandcastle Water Park, and are expected to have a 25-year lifespan.

It's possible the NIMBYs will still complain about these turbines, despite the fact that there can be few better places to site them than on a sea-front (and the fact that there's little that could be done to make the Blackpool beach front uglier. It's an endearing ugly, but it's ugly nonetheless.)

Technorati tag: Wind Power, Blackpool

Eco-Schools- teach them carbon free

Up to 200 environmentally friendly schools are to be built as part of the drive to reduce carbon emissions and tackle climate change, the government has announced.

Education secretary Alan Johnson claimed the eco-schools would help save five million tonnes of carbon dioxide.

The scheme, which comes as part of a £110m investment package to be delivered over three years, will also see all secondary schools given a copy of Al Gore's film 'An inconvenient truth'.

"As people and businesses try to reduce their carbon emissions, it is only right that the government plays its part," Johnson said.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse

Volkswagen's 200mpg car

A few years ago, Volkswagen built a concept car that could manage over 200 miles to the gallon. The project was shelved because the price of a complete vehicle was judged to be too high. Now, with advances bringing costs down, and changes in management at the company, the project has been resurrected.

via Jalopnik

Technorati tag: Cars, Fuel Efficiency

Energy saving freebies from politicians

Only promised, so far, however.

The Lib Dems are proposing energy saving packs, subsidised to the tune of £2,000 (though they would probably cost £5,000 to £10,000).

Households could get free energy monitors, according to ministers.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse

I'm the only green MP

Alan Simpson MP details his ecohouse project. An odd aspect of this report is that it appears in the Daily Mail, one of the last newspapers still in denial and desparately trying to find fault with the few things the Government is doing. For example- the assessors for the energy consumption section of Home Information Packs won't have criminal record checks and will therefore all be burglars, apparently. They'll also be able to make a lot of money if they work hard (how dare they!).

Alan Simpson's website

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Government

A Green roof for Piccadilly Gardens

Manchester's Piccadilly Gardens, imperfectly redeveloped a few years ago and with a lawn that needs constant relaying, is to get a green roof on the crescent of food outlets that line one side. This should help compensate for the excess of concrete and paving that was laid as part of the remodelling and maybe ease the big puddles that cover the tram tracks after a heavy rain. The popular fountains in the Gardens are now being fed from a ground source of water under the area, which should also cut their impact.

Technorati tag: Architecture, Green Roof, Public Space

Censorship and anti-science

Every time another unscientific denial of climate change is debunked the deniers come out crying about censorship, or threaten to sue. In truth, as George Monbiot points out, it is the scientists doing the hard work that proves mankind is changing the environment who are the ones being censored.

Technorati tag: Climate Change Denial, Censorship

Eco-houses for the rich and famous

A development of £4.5million houses in Kensington are set to have £50,000 of energy saving devices installed, including geothermal heating that will produce enough excess to keep the drive ice free.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse

Lightbulb denial in the Daily Mail

Cheaper bulbs have some of the problems attributed in this article to all Compact Fluorescent Lights, but to pretend they all do is as lazy and shortsighted as they're accusing the politicians of being. Better quality CFL bulbs (the ones from Philips are highly recommended) light up as fast as incandescents, have a pleasant colour and, even with normal switching on and off, last far longer then old style bulbs. And they pay for themselves within a year in normal useage.

Most of the people I know have houses lit with low energy bulbs and not a one of them has ever commented on problems fitting the lights. Now that everyone else is into CFLs I'm thinking of moving to LEDs, which are even more efficient.

As for China, so what if they're not making changes right now? They will in the future. If your neighbour told you they hadn't fitted smoke alarms, would you endanger your family by removing the ones in your house?

Technorati tag: EcoHouse

Taking your top off for the environment

Keeley Hazell, the Sun's top Page Three model has been name checked by David Cameron as a Green icon and, the Independent finds, she has the credentials to back this up.  Sex sells and if if it makes Sun readers invest in low energy bulbs that's cool.

Keeley Hazell on Fleshbot (NSFW)

Keeley Hazell products at Amazon

Technorati tag: Sexy

Going Green in the bedroom

Canada.com on environmentally aware sex toys, picking up on some issues raised by Treehugger and the growing trendiness of all things Green.

via Fleshbot (NSFW)

Technorati tag: Sex, Sex Toy

The Green capital

The capital will reduce its carbon emmissions by 60% within 20 years if Ken Livingstone's plans work out.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, London

How Green should Gore be?

Do Green campaigners have to be absolutely pure? The question arises from the fuss caused by snide naysayers who are attacking Al Gore's lifestyle to turn attention away from his message.

By all accounts Gore and his family have gone beyond carbon neutral.  No matter how much energy his mansions consume he's planting the trees or making the investments to write that off and then spending a bit more.  Of course, the antis know this but don't bother to mention it because that would destroy their argument.

It's time for Gore to slap solar panels and windmills on his properties and ask what the rumour mongers are doing to reduce their carbon footprints.

Technorati tag: Al Gore

Wood- the once and future fuel

Wood pellet stoves may not have the romance of a log fire or solid fuel stove (my parents just got a Rayburn, which I haven't seen yet, but they're surrounded by a near free supply of downed trees and off cuts), but they could be as near to carbon neutral as an energy solution gets.

A few thoughts-

How are the factories making these pellets powered?  If they can close the circle and have a combined heat and power system on site powered by some of the pellets produced that will be brilliant.

The fuel will never be entirely carbon neutral until the chainsaws are powered by ethanol and every vehicle used runs on biodiesel.  But that's being picky, it's still a hell of a lot closer than anything else, and they could always plant excess trees to offset production costs.

How clean do these stoves burn?  A lot of Britain is now smoke-free zone, which has to hinder the uptake of solid fuel.  I imagine as they become more efficient the stoves create less smoke.

Technorati tag: Biomass, Renewable Energy, Wood

The denial business is still going strong

I think the title says it all "All those Scientists may still be wrong". All those thousands of intelligent, highly educated people, experts in their fields, who have spent billions of hours examining the data, testing theories and extrapolating alternatives might, just possibly, not be absolutely 100% correct in their predictions. So we should do nothing and hope they're not right.

The question should be, what's so wrong with reducing carbon dioxide output? What's being called for is an increase in efficiency and a reduction in reliance on limited resources. It's a winning combination for everyone and a great way to alleviate poverty. Even without global warming this should be the aim of every person on the planet. Or do the deniers not want to see poorer people leapfrog ahead of them into the future?

Technorati tag: Climate Change

Shell's Biomass to Liquid biofuels

Shell are investing in a technology to convert wood chips and straw to biodiesel, to take the strain off food crops.

Technorati tag: Biodiesel

Greening the construction industry

Leading property and construction firms have formed the UK Green Building Council and given themselves 10 years to transform their industry and make it sustainable. They also make the sensible observation that energy saving measures shouldn't just be applied to new builds as houses that have already been built will still account for 75% of the housing stock in 2050.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse

Climate Challenge

Can you balance the budget, keep the electorate happy and fed and reduce greenhouse gas emmissions? Try the BBC's Climate Challenge.

Technorati tag: Climate

Solar power heads toward the dollar per watt landmark

Solar power costs are dropping and could soon cross over the point where they're cheaper than fossil fuels and other supplies. Germany passed a law demanding utilities buy excess electricity from microgeneration at a good price and the take up of solar, and no doubt other technologies, has soared.

The only people too stupid to be excited by these developments are the electricity and oil companies.

"There is no silver bullet," said Jeroen Van der Veer, Shell's chief executive.
"We have invested a bit in all forms of renewable energy ourselves and maybe we'll find a winner one day. But the reality is that in twenty years time we'll still be using more oil than now," he said.

Technorati tag: Solar Power

The 2010 Imperative

http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/brian_wilson/2007/02/building_a_green_future.html
http://www.2010imperative.org/
The Global Emergency Teach In, next Tuesday.  Share ideas and plans for reducing the eco-impact of the built environment.

Sacrifice What?

I've noticed the word "sacrifice", or variations on it, popping up in discussions of global warming recently. The deniers and nay-sayers gleefully tell us that "ordinary people" won't be able or willing to make the sacrifices- ie lifestyle changes- necessary to cut carbon dioxide output. I believe they are insulting the very people they pretend to champion, under estimating what the average citizen is capable of.

Sadly, too many Greens have taken up this idea and talk of the troubles we face. All talk of sacrifice suggests we'll have to go back to the Dark Ages to cut consumption.

It's all nonsense, of course. What's needed is a fresh look at just what we'd be giving up and a more honest description of it. So let's make a few sacrifices. Let's sacrifice-

Paying too much for bland, boring food that's over packaged and shipped halfway around the world. Research has shown that local shops and markets are consistently cheaper than the supermarket chains. They're also friendlier, put more money into the local economy and stock foods you won't find on Tesco's shelves.

Burning money running a status symbol that increasingly says bad things about you, that is a danger to everyone on the road- including its occupants- and spends most of its life carting nothing more substantial than air. If people took the time to find the largest car they needed, rather than the ideal vehicle for a trek across Alaska with the extended family, they could save hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds a year without sacrificing any of the convenience and comfort of having a car. Of course, it would be best if they could leave the car behind more often as well, but maybe they'd learn that when they realised how little they really needed it.

Teaching children to be unhealthy and dependent on others. They could walk to school, getting exercise, building self confidence and teaching them to do stuff for themselves. It would probably make them safer in other ways as well. Recognising, and being recognised in, their neighbourhood should help children spot trouble such as the mythical danger stranger if it ever appeared.

Paying exorbitant energy bills because our filament bulbs use more energy making heat than they do making light. Really, when a decent compact fluorescent bulb will pay for itself in less than a year, why do people insist on the false economy of filament bulbs?

That's just a sample. Next time someone tells you the culture won't change because of the sacrifices involved try one of them as a reply. We're all in a position to make sacrifices which actually leave us better off as well as helping the environment. When we've pocketed the money from them, more drastic action will be less painful and easier to contemplate.

Reviewing the Nuclear Review

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6364281.stm
The Government's nuclear review (AKA whitewash) has been judged biased and misleading and there are calls for a new white paper on the subject.

Tony Blair et al insist that their fixation on nuclear power is a brave and radical attempt to counter global warming when it's actually a cowardly and backward effort to avoid doing anything.  If they want to do something radical they should start subsidising insulation and double glazing for houses in the worst Council Tax bands and paying to put solar water heaters on every South facing roof in the country.  Start by reducing the need for centralised energy production and helping those whose energy costs are a greater proportion of their expenditure.  It will increase the prosperity of the country, likely encourage further spending on energy saving and cut carbon dioxide production.

Then they can start funding micro-generation and communal energy projects.  Water turbines on weirs, local windmills, geothermal for a whole street, that sort of thing.  Lots of little projects have a better chance of coming in on time and under budget than one big one and a distributed power generation system will be more robust.

There are a lot of reasons why this won't happen, but they all have one common factor- Tony Blair's cowardice.  The Daily Mail would moan about the undeserving getting cossetted with free insulation and rail against "Nanny Statism".  The NIMBYs would try to halt schemes designed to make them better off.  Big Energy companies would complain because they would lose their monopolies and hold over consumers.  Most of all, this sort of scheme would give power back to ordinary people, the sort of prospect that gives every politician nightmares.

Carbon Footprints

To coincide with teh publication of teh Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report last week, activists stencilled "carbon footprints" on the pavement outside flight centres etc.

Starry Night Lights

This is a paid review through ReviewMe.

At first I thought Starry Night Lights were going to be unhappy with what they'd spent their money on. The company is dedicated to providing outside lighting that cuts down light pollution. This, I thought, was an aesthetic issue, of interest only to astronomers and Lisa Simpson.

With the caveat that exterior lighting should be reduced as much as possible, Starry Night Lights do make a fair argument for the environmental benefits of their products. They want house-holders to eliminate unnecessary illumination and install shaded and low energy lighting only where it's absolutely necessary, and then have it linked to motion sensors so it only comes on when needed.

There's no denying the earnestness of the man behind this company, he even has his own outdoor lighting blog where he questions the logic of illumination oneupmanship and suggests solutions. The site, sadly, is a bit clunky, looking very much like an old school effort from the early days of online commerce. And it's based in the USA, so of no use to me even if I was in the market for low energy external lighting.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Lighting

Sign my cycling petition

My petition on the Number 10 site-

Introduce a Cycling Proficiency style test for children and adults to make them more confident and competent on the road. This will be voluntary except for- bus and taxi drivers, officials with responsibilities for transport, those guilty of certain driving offences and motoring journalists. Include a section on cycle craft into the driving test which will be waived for any learner who has passed Cycling Proficiency in the last five years. This will make motorists more aware of other road users, improve the safety of cyclists on our roads and hopefully increase the number of people using bikes.

Please pop over and sign it. It's far more reasonably worded than most of the transport related petitions on there and I think it's a realistic proposal. The bit about motoring journalists is a joke.

They should have their licences revoked automatically.

Technorati tag: Cycling, Petition

Catching up with Green links

I've been neglecting How to Save the World for Free, and not cross-posting Green links from Spinneyhead. So here are as many as I could find, just to catch up.

Some days I just want to go and live in a tent somewhere.

The fourth report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says we can look forward to a rise in the average global temperature of between 2.5 and 5 Celsius by the end of the century. The IPCC is considered conservative when assessing global warming, so for them to come out with such a serious assessment means the evidence is now overwhelming.

Watch our leaders say it's a terrible thing and something major needs to be done- then do nothing.

Action for Sustainable Living. I've been meaning to post this link since someone gave me their business card before Christmas.

Nuclear power plant sites, usually close to the sea, could be at risk from the effects of global warming.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6289367.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6288957.stm
American industry groups are calling on George Bush to introduce mandatory emission standards in his State of the Union address.  He's not going to, but the sentiment is appreciated.

Australians take to their bikes.

2012 Olympics to be the "greenest ever".
Tony Blair takes the credit.

Does anyone really believe the supermarkets talk of going Green? Much like George Monbiot, I'm convinced it's all PR and the very nature of their business makes them unsustainable.

How Green is your supermarket? Following Tescos and Marks & Spencers' announcements, the Telegraph tests the big four to see how they're doing at present.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/01/19/ndress19.xml
Dissolving dresses as a metaphor for throwaway culture.

Tesco is the latest supermarket chain to insist it is going Green. The problem is, the Greenest thing many Tesco stores could do would be to close, because the emissions from all the cars driving to them is greater than any direct or indirect CO2 production getting the products on the shelves.

Scientists have developed a "health check" that can predict how farming methods will affect an area's biodiversity.

Green cleaning put to the test.

Britain is to have the world's first official carbon offsetting standards.

Asian states sign key energy deal.

European Commission rules will require new cars to produce less than 120 grams of CO2 per mile

Technorati tag: EcoHouse

Climate links

A few links I've not had the time to post this week.

The Independent looks at companies that will help you offset the carbon cost of your flights and other activities.

Big businesses get together and have a climate change meeting.

Ming Campbell reassures us that airline taxes will not affect the poor.

David Cameron calls for a "culture change" to tackle global warming.

The EU announces new energy plans.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Politics

Floating on air and cutting emmissions at sea

A Danish helicopter pilot with a passion for sailing has developed a system that could cut the fuel consumption of cargo ships by 15%. It works by pumping air into a cavity under the ship, thus reducing drag. The extra cost of installing such a system on a brand new vessel would likely be paid for withing four years.

Technorati tag: Shipping

Charging for waste

The Local Government Association are proposing schemes to cut the amount of domestic waste. One possibility is to charge households more if they throw more stuff out. This will only work if there's a baseline amount of rubbish removal covered by Council Tax with rebates for those who produce less and charges for tose who produce more. And it wouldn't be the easiest thing to police.

A better idea, also hinted at, is to cut the amount of unnecessary material entering the house in the first place- fining manufacturers and shops whose products are over-packaged.

Technorati tag: Waste

Drivel in the Daily Telegraph

Janet Daley believes that Green policies are just a middle class plot to keep the 'umble workin' man down. Just in case they, like the Daily Mail, won't publish comments that are too sensible to fit their world view, here's my reply-

We have these things called feet, and there's a wonderful invention known as the bicycle. Intelligent use of these allows far more efficient access to the "metropolitan existence" than a car ever could, whilst saving enough money to more than cover any increased cost of longer journeys.

The call is for people to consume less. This, some fail to recognise, saves money. The poorer members of society will benefit more from it as energy costs are a greater proportion of their expenses. If Janet Daley really cares about the welfare of ordinary working people she should be calling for carbon trading and more energy saving measures to give them the boost they deserve.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse

Snowmen against global warming

Students in Oslo created a small army of plywood snowmen demonstrating against global warming, and placed them outside the Parliament buildings.

via BoingBoing

Technorati tag: Snowman, Norway

Meet the Green party's male principal speaker"

Derek Wall is the leader of the English Green party, or would be if they went in for such titles, and the only party head to be banned from every Tesco store in the country.

There's an interesting statistic in the profile.

Asked to name one or more other parties that they might support, Conservatives polled were much more likely to choose the Liberal Democrats or the Greens than parties such as UKIP.

Some 32% of Tories say they might vote Lib Dem and 19% say Green.

Technorati tag: Green Party, Green Party

Big, dumb and fading away

The sales of urban 4 wheel drives, and hopefully other oversized thirsty cars, look set to continue dropping as fuel economy becomes an important factor in purchases.

It's refreshing news, especially as, on top of all their other sins, they encourage bad driving in their owners.

Technorati tag: SUV, Road Safety

The Guardian's list of the top ten Greenest councils

Sadly, Manchester is nowhere on this list of the top ten Greenest councils and the twenty next best.

Technorati tag: Council, Green

Fighting Climate Change down on the farm

A collection of environment and agriculture related items from the BBC today-

David Cameron wants Britain's food labelling laws changed so UK farmers can benefit from "food Patriotism".

A project has launched to highlight the potential opportunities, as well as the dangers, of climate chenge for farmers.

The next generation of biofuels, one of the opportunities the above project will no doubt be looking into.

A conference on boosting the recycling of farm waste in East Anglia.

Technorati tag: Agriculture, Biofuel, Food Miles

Taking on the climate sceptics

No matter that the mass of evidence points to climate change being real and influenced by mankind, there are still some who won't accept it. The few dissenters get funding and far more airtime than their minority views deserve, without really saying anything of any substance. So Britain's leading climate scientist is calling on them to put up or shut up and present their arguments against global warming for consideration by their peers.

You can follow the debate, and even participate, at www.nerc.ac.uk.

Technorati tag: Global Warming

Interactive greenery

The Guardian has an interactive guide to cutting your house's energy consumption and waste production.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Flash

Boxing Day viewing

An Inconvenient Truth is released on DVD on Boxing Day. Obviously it won't arrive on the 26th, but it's worth ordering as a late present.

There's a book to go with the film, also available in a young adult version due in April.

Technorati tag: Al Gore, Inconvenient Truth

It's A Green Christmas In This Town

(Cross posted from Spinneyhead)

Manchester City Council have some statistics on waste this Christmas, plus some ideas on how to cut it down (mostly by carefully choosing what to buy, which might be a little late for most of you) and some guidance on what can be recycled.

If you live in Manchester, the link to the recycling centres around Manchester and what each one accepts is also useful.

(Title taken from Green Christmas by Barenaked Ladies)

Technorati tag: Recycling, Manchester

The home turbines aren't turning

Whilst large scale wind farms are quite efficient, especially the less controversial new breed of offshore ones, home turbines can produce little or no power because of wind turbulence. Perhaps it's just the traditional windmills that have this problem and the next generation of home based wind power will involve Savonius or other vertical designs better suited to catching the breeze from constantly changing directions.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Wind Turbine

And now for some really bad news

Based on current measurements, the Arctic summer ice cap could be gone by 2060. However, if the expected feedback- less light reflected by ice, more absorbed by exposed sea- happens, it will be even earlier than that.

Recent studies suggest that even a minor local nuclear exchange could cause a far worse nuclear winter than previously expected. But don't tell Bush that, or he might suggest it as a solution to global warming.

Technorati tag: Arctic ice cap, Nuclear Winter

Sticking plaster solutions- towing airliners

I suppose every little helps, but you can't help thinking that Virgin air's plan to tow airliners out to the runway, rather than having them get there under their own power, is a mostly symbolic piece of environmentalism.

Technorati tag: Airliner, Virgin

Fines and bath reduction- council level green action

Two proposals from local councils to battle energy consumption and waste-

Barnet has drawn up guidelines for planning, including a suggestion to leave baths out of new builds.

Tameside council will fine departments £30 for each computer left on overnight.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Council, Energy Saving

Towards zero carbon new builds

When I wrote the piece about net energy producing social housing last night I hadn't seen all of the proposals in Gordon Brown's pre-Budget speech. Amongst the plans is the aim to have all new build homes zero net carbon producers within a decade. The carrot for this is a rebate on stamp duty for all new homes deemed to be zero carbon, to start next year.

There's no definition of what constitutes a zero carbon home, we'll have to wait for the Budget proper for that, and builders' groups are already weighing in with complains about the rebate not covering the extra cost and house prices going up. Of course, house prices are rising regardless, and I'm sure there's a case for larger mortgages on such properties because the savings on bills will make the buyers better off on a payment to payment basis.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Gordon Brown, Budget,

Department of Free Ideas: Net energy producing social housing

The Department of Free Ideas is something I've rolled out a couple of times at Spinneyhead. It's basically irregular posts where I outline ideas I've had that I just don't have the time, money or expertise to follow up. They're just ideas, not costed and often without links to supporting material, but I believe they merit further investigation, which is why I want to set them free. If anyone likes them and can act upon them, then they're more than welcome to. Credit or royalties would be cool, if you're inclined.

We don't have enough houses in Britain. Particularly, we don't have enough affordable houses and council house building has ground to a halt. On top of that, we really should be doing more to cut energy consumption. So why don't we solve these problems by building council houses that are so efficient that with the addition of micro-generation they produce more electricity than they consume?

These houses couldn't be individual show pieces dropped amongst ordinary box homes, for the scheme to work properly whole streets or closes would have to be built. Economies of scale menat that technology that would be exorbitant on a single house could be incorporated relatively cheaply. Heat pumps could warm whole closes and the buildings could be arranged to catch and convert the most sunlight.

Tenants would have to sign up to certain community responsibilities, the sort of "socialist" idea that drives some reactionaries mad, but in return they'd get to live comfortably without worrying about ever rising energy costs.

Poorer families can't afford energy saving devices, partly because they're struggling with the cost of the energy they're wasting through older equipment and poorly insulated houses. Even if no council will take up the challenge of building such green homes for them they should at least be subsidised to make the savings themselves.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Council House, Energy poverty

Making plans for Gordon

The BBC asks some experts to weigh in with potential Green tax schemes for Gordon Brown.

Technorati tag: Budget, Gordon Brown, Green Taxes

SUV sales fall

The message may be getting through. Sales of larger 4x4s dropped 5.5% in the first 10 months of this year, and by 15.2% in November. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders says this is because of the phasing out of two popular models and sales will pick up again, but I have more faith in people's common sense.

Technorati tag: SUV

Carbon Trading for industry

Gordon Brown looks set to propose carbon trading for business in his pre budget speech today, along with increased fuel duty for drivers and fliers.

Technorati tag: Carbon Trading, Gordon Brown

Sustainable living quiz night

The 8th Day vegetarian cafe is holding a sustainable living quiz night on Tuesday (28th). There will probably be a How to Save the World for Free team. I hope we don't embarass ourselves.

In conjunction with 'Action For Sustainable Living', we're hosting a Sustainable Living Quiz Night for you to find out how much you really know about living an eco friendly existence. Expect to be excited and amused, challenged and interested in a fun packed evening of entertainment. Tickets cost £3.00 which includes a light vegetarian buffet and drinks will be available from the licensed bar in the café. Arrive at 7.30pm for food with an 8pm start.

Technorati tag: Sustainable Living, Quiz, Manchester

Zero energy homes for Manchester

The Jessiefields project, which is awaiting planning permission, would see a block of 13 zero energy flats built in Manchester. The flats would sell for £250,000 each, and have triple glazing and heavy insulation to cut heat loss whilst incorporating solar and wind power and rainwater capture.

There are a lot of flat developments going up in and around Manchester, and as steep as it sounds £250k isn't that high a price, especially if the apartments promise energy savings and investment potential.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Manchester, Zero Energy

MPs' green press releases

A bumper edition because I haven't done this for a few weeks.

McIntosh Welcomes Prime Minister’s reply following meeting on Bio Fuels

Anne McIntosh MP for the Vale of York today welcomes the response from the Prime Minister following her recent meeting with him requesting a full statement on bio fuels.

Please click here for the full text of the letter.

DAVID HEATH MP – TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE BY A GREEN TAX SWITCH

As part of the Liberal Democrat campaign for a green tax switch – taxing pollution not people – David Heath, MP for Somerton & Frome is welcoming Dr Vince Cable MP and Graham Watson MEP to Frome, where they will be shown a biofuels car, owned by Somerset Country Council, by Deputy Leader of Somerset County Council, Cllr Paul Buchanan.

David Heath said: "In Frome, according to the latest official figures, we are all emitting 8.8 tonnes of carbon per person per year, 5.5 per cent less than the UK average of 9.3 tonnes per person, but still far higher than the global average of around 2.5 tonnes per person.

"We need to go further to get down to a sustainable level that will stop climate chaos, rising sea levels and storms. The good news is that the technology is already there to do so by shifting to low carbon cars, like the one I will be viewing tomorrow, saving energy in the home, and cutting down oil and gas at work.

"All the main political parties now agree that we have to tackle climate change, but only the Liberal Democrats have put forward firm plans to help us change our behaviour through tax incentives.

"I am pleased to be welcoming Dr Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor and architect of the Lib Dem green tax plans to Frome and that he will be able to view a biofuel car, pioneered by Liberal Democrat controlled Somerset County Council, providing a practical solution to the threat of climate change here in Somerset."

LAWS BACKS MICROPOWER ENERGY

David Laws, MP for Yeovil constituency, is supporting a proposal to increase the use of microgeneration as a power source. Microgeneration involves the generation of energy from renewable and low carbon sources on a local scale, such as small scale wind turbines and solar panels.

If passed, the bill will enable local authorities to set binding targets for the use of microgeneration in their local development plans.

David Laws MP said:

'The opportunities created by micropower are huge. Expanding the use of microgeneration can be a key method in reducing our country’s carbon emissions and lowering our harmful impact upon the environment.

'Micropower also brings the production of energy closer to the consumer. By generating your own power, it is possible to cut bills and be more energy efficient.

'The Government has finally recognised that action must be taken to end the damage we are doing to our environment. Micropower will enable people in Somerset to do their part to fight climate change.'

Make the world safe for future generations, says local MP

A world that is safe for our children and their children.
That was the plea made by West Dunbartonshire MP John McFall in a debate on climate change in the House of Commons on Monday.
Mr McFall asked for some "realism" to be injected into the debate on the Stern Review.
He said there would be "no pain free choices" for people in their future lifestyle -- or for the Government and their policies.
They would have to grasp the nettle of climate change or the consequences could be disastrous, said the local MP.
He congratulated David Miliband, the Environment Secretary and Chancellor Gordon Brown, on the report which looks at the economic consequences of failing to tackle climate change.
He said that Opposition leader David Cameron had not even been elected to his post when the report was commissioned.
Mr McFall said: "There will be no pain-free choices for individuals and their future lifestyle, or for the Government and their policies. The issue is too important to leave to party politics."
He urged Mr Miliband to "ensure a national debate between politicians and in every community and school so that we may leave a safe planet for our children and their children."
The Minister accepted that Mr McFall was making "an important point."
And he added: "I tried to refer in my statement to the need for the Climate Change Bill to be something that can be taken out to businesses, schools and communities around the country."
He said Mr McFall was "right about the need for action by Government and businesses, and also individual action."
Mr Miliband added: "Some people always find change painful, but when the failure to change would be even more painful, the case for action is proven. That is the case in this area and I will be seeking to prosecute it."

Tom Brake MP commits to 'Save your 20%' campaign

Tom Brake, Liberal Democrat MP for Carshalton and Wallington is urging his constituents to join him in committing to reduce the amount of energy they consume on a daily basis. He has joined the Energy Saving Trust's "Commit to Save Your 20%" campaign which was launched as part of the Trust's 10th annual Energy Saving Week.

He is cutting his emissions and his electricity bill through everyday, 'normal' actions, like using energy saving light-bulbs and boiling only as much water as needed.

Tom has also added his name to a Parliamentary Early Day Motion welcoming Energy Saving Week and calling on fellow MPs to show leadership in their constituencies by supporting the Energy Saving Trust's call to action encouraging individuals to reduce their energy consumption and help tackle climate change.

Tom has previously shown his commitment to green policies; earlier this month he launched a page of green ideas on his website (www.tombrake.co.uk/gogreen), and a fortnight ago Tom and Carshalton and Wallington Councillors joined residents to kick off Sutton Liberal Democrats' Green Action Week with a clean-up of the banks of the River Wandle.

And in response to questions from The Independent newspaper, Tom commented: 'Personally I am committed to reducing my emissions by 20% and will do so by a range of measures including purchasing a more economical car, improving insulation in our home, buying low energy light bulbs, taking the train rather than flying on holiday. This is such an important issue and if we all make small changes to our daily lifestyle, we really can make a difference.'

Philip Sellwood, Chief Executive of the Energy Saving Trust, said, "We are calling on the nation to undertake a series of daily habit changing actions during Energy Saving Week 2006. The aim is to galvanise the nation into breaking their bad energy habits one by one, which will not only help prevent the damaging effects of climate change but also will help reduce individual energy costs. To find out how you can commit to save your 20%, visit www.est.org.uk/commit."

Dr Hywel Francis MP Committed to 'Save Your 20%' Campaign

Aberavon MP, Dr Hywel Francis, urged his constituents recently to join him in committing to reduce the amount of energy they consume on a daily basis. Dr Francis has joined the Energy Saving Trust's 'Commit to Save Your 20%' campaign, which was launched as part of the 10th annual Energy Saving Week.

Domestic Energy use accounts for almost 50% of carbon dioxide emissions but collectively we can make a real difference. If we all saved 20% of the energy we use every day we can help prevent climate change. The recent Energy Saving Week 2006 highlighted that consumers are able to make an enormous difference both to the environment and to their energy bills through everyday 'normal' actions.

Dr Francis has added his name to a Parliamentary motion welcoming Energy Saving Week and calling on fellow MPs to show leadership in their constituencies by supporting the Energy Saving Trust's call to action encourage individuals to reduce thier energy consumption and help tackle climate change.

There is a whole range of energy saving measures that we can all undertake, many of which are simple and 'low cost, no cost'. The following is a list of the 10 commitments Dr Francis and the Energy Saving Trust are encouraging householders to make:

• When making hot drinks only boil as much water as I need.
• Turn down my thermostat by 1º C.
• Switch off appliances and not leave them on standby.
• Insert cavity wall insulation
• Top up my loft insulation to 270mm
• Replace 3 light bulbs with Energy Saving Recommended ones.
• Install a condensing boiler.
• Buy Energy Saving Recommended appliances.
• Wash my laundry at 30º C
• Leave my car at home for short journeys

For larger measures such as insulating your home or installing microgeneration the Energy Saving trust provides impartial advice, grants and information to help you implement your commitment.

Dr Francis said,

"As well as signing the Early Day Motion, I will be urging my family, friends, staff and constituents to be energy conscious. We can help prevent climate change by all committing to save 20% of the energy we use every day."

Phillip Sellwood, Chief Executive of the Energy Saving Trust, said,

"Throughout Energy Saving Week 2006 we called on the nation to undertake a series of daily habit changing action. The aim is to galvanise the nation into breaking their bad energy habits one by one, which will not only prevent the damaging effects of climate change but will also help reduce individual energy cost. To find out how you can commit to save your 20%, visit www.est.org.uk/commit."

CAMPBELL SPEAKS OUT ON ENVIRONMENT IN VISIT TO SUTTON

Sir Menzies Campbell MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, yesterday visited BedZED in Hackbridge in the London Borough of Sutton. BedZED is the UK's largest carbon-neutral community.

He arrived at Hackbridge Station by train accompanied by Paul Burstow MP and was met by Tom Brake MP, Sue Riddlestone a Director of Bioregional and Cllr Colin Hall, Deputy Leader of Sutton Council who briefed him on Sutton's 'Smarter Travel Sutton' project.

At the end of his visit, Sir Menzies Campbell said:

"Liberal Democrat Councils are making a real difference on the environment. First Sutton Council made BedZED possible and now - through the 'Smarter Travel Sutton' initiative - it is encouraging businesses, schools and individuals to develop travel plans and reduce their car dependency."

Tom Brake, Liberal Democrat MP for Carshalton and Wallington remarked, "Sutton has a green track record second to none. When others were rubbishing the science of climate change years ago we backed BedZED. We are now trail-blazing again with 'Smarter Travel Sutton'. And just as the lessons learnt at Bed Zed have helped improve low or zero energy building projects around the world, the lessons learnt from 'Smarter Travel Sutton' will be picked up by every urban and suburban community seeking to cut its reliance on the car.

Councillor Colin Hall, Sutton Council's Deputy Leader, commented, "The BedZED development, a world class example of sustainable living, was made possible by the forward thinking and the environmental commitment of Sutton's Lib Dem Council. This project and others like the Killick House solar panel scheme and our excellent recycling record have led to the borough being picked to host 'Smarter Travel Sutton', a £5M sustainable transport project designed to help local residents make informed decisions about alternatives to using their own car.

Paul Burstow, Liberal Democrat MP for Sutton & Cheam finished by saying, "Climate change is a problem that requires both national leadership, local action and personal responsibility. We all have a part to play in reducing our own individual contributions to greenhouse gases. Sutton Council has been in the vanguard of this movement for green action for over two decades. Sutton was green when it was neither trendy nor cool."

Residents who want to cut their CO2 emissions can do so by signing up to Sutton's Planet Pledge at www.sutton.gov.uk/environment/planetpage/ or visiting Tom Brake’s ‘go green’ page at http://www.tombrake.co.uk/pages/GoGreen.html

THE DEBATE IS OVER, GREEN BUSINESS IS GOOD BUSINESS - OPIK

Commenting on The Treasury's Stern report on the economics of climate change released today on the economic cost of climate change, Lembit Opik, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats and MP for Montgomeryshire, said:

"The debate is now surely over. Finally it seems the Government have got the message. Leaving climate change unchecked will burn a £3.5 trillion whole in the economy. But tackling climate change can massively reduce this burden and present a wealth of new commercial opportunities. Green business is good business.

"I hope this report sends tremors through every Government department. We have been far too timid in developing strategies to tackle climate change and have missed so many good opportunities to develop our green economic sector.

"Wales is one such country with an abundance of renewable resources and environmental expertise that is just waiting for the green light from the Government. We cannot afford to delay further. We must now act.

"When I meet with Wales Office ministers later this year, I will be pushing them to develop a bold new green economic strategy that will actively encourage investment and the development of Welsh green industries and technology."

Technorati tag: MP, Press Release

NYU goes green

It would be worth seeing if any British universities have done this. New York University is purchasing 118 million kilowatt-hours of wind power. This makes it one of the largest holders of renewable energy in the United States, and hopefully an inspiration to other institutions.

via Meg

Technorati tag: Wind Power, NYU

Cheap and easy solar power

The articles are biased towards the US, but Mother Earth News tells you how to get simple solar power and how to work out if the payback will be worth the investment.

Technorati tag: Solar Power

20 to 1- the benefits of fighting global warming

Moves to cut carbon dioxide emissions enough to slow or prevent global warming could cost as much as 1% of the world's gross domestic product. This seems like a lot, until you read the balancing figures- not addressing the problem will likely see the global economy shrink by 20%. Developed countries would have to shoulder most of the costs whilst it would be developing ones, initially, that felt the benefits, so don't hold your breath waiting for the US et al to agree.

There is some evidence that our government may be getting its finger out and moving from talking about the problem to doing something about it. Green taxes are getting a lot of attention in the run up to next month's public spending review.

Technorati tag: Global Warming

Granada's Green Guide

Granada television has put up a page full of advice on going green. Fred's Green Guide is available as a series of pdfs for download.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Granada

MPs' Green press releases

New Carbon Trust campaign to help schools cut carbon footprint

Potential to save up to £20 million annually

A new campaign, launched today by the Carbon Trust, offers students and teachers an opportunity to combat climate change by cutting the energy they use in school. The scheme could save schools and further education (FE) colleges in England with high energy bills up to £20 million on their collective energy bill each year – unlocking vital cash for extra resources for students and staff.

Alongside the cash saving, the Carbon Trust's new campaign is set to cut the carbon footprint of these schools and FE colleges in England by up to 200,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year – equivalent to the entire annual emissions of the City of Durham.

More....

WHITEHEAD SAYS TIGHTEN CAP AND TRADE TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE

Alan Whitehead, MP for Southampton Test, argued in the House of Commons climate change debate last Thursday, that the capping and trading of carbon emissions was critical in the fight against climate change but that for it to work effectively there needed to be strict quotas.

Dr. Whitehead said:
"In the context of environmental taxation, does the hon. Gentleman accept that capping and trading carbon emissions is a development from taxation, in which the market undertakes the work that taxation might otherwise do? Would he include in his analysis what is happening to European emissions trading and will he be active in ensuring that the emissions trading system 2008-12 really works?"

More....

WE NEED COHERENT ANSWER TO CLIMATE CHANGE, SAYS WHITEHEAD

Alan Whitehead, MP for Southampton Test, rattled Lib Dems and Tories alike with his probing questions in the parliamentary debate on green taxes.

Dr Whitehead is clear that we need a coherent answer to climate change that encompasses taxation, regulation and trading arrangements. One or the other would not be enough to tackle climate change head on. However, that is all that was offered in the climate change debate on Monday.

More....

Sunday Times Article: Cool Earth

Last March I came across a Sunday Times news report about the businessman Johan Eliasch. Johan had just bought a part of the Brazilian rainforest larger than the size of London. His goal was to protect any more of the forest from being destroyed by illegal logging.

Like lots of Sunday Times readers, I know that the world is almost at the tipping point on climate change beyond which there is no return. We must all act; last week's World Bank report by Sir Nicholas Stern is the latest stark warning to world leaders, especially George W Bush, that the climate change issue cannot be stalled by claiming economic competitiveness would be damaged by taking action now. I believe that if we are to save our planet a totally new kind of politics is required.

Johan's rainforest estate comprises more than 400,000 acres of trees. I thought I might stretch my resources to buy 40 acres, a sniff in comparison with Johan's impact. But it occurred to me that there were out there tens of millions of ordinary people like me who would jump at the opportunity of "buying" forest to save the planet. I e-mailed Johan asking if he would be interested in setting up an international trust to protect the rainforest, which acts as the world's lungs. I have a certain track record of trying to get ideas adopted and know from bitter experience that it can take 20 years to sell an idea to the political bureaucracy. Dealing with Johan was quite different: within 20 seconds he had replied and we had fixed a planning meeting. Cool Earth, Johan's title for our great adventure, was born from that initial meeting.

More....

'Green Buses for Islington!'

Emily Thornberry is the Mayor of London's latest convert to his new green buses. After having a ride on one of the Mayor's test fleet this week, Emily said: "these new green buses are fantastic and I'm going to campaign to bring them to Islington. I wanted to drive this one back to Islington immediately but I was told they're not ready yet!"

The new green buses are cleaner and quieter than regular buses. They run largely on an automatically-recharging battery which is topped-up by small car-sized engine which kicks in when necessary. This cuts poisonous nitrogen oxide by almost 90% and uses 40% less fuel, as well as cutting noise dramatically.

Emily went on one of the six new buses being trialled in central London with a group of local councillors and residents from Islington. When asked if they thought these buses should come to Islington first, the verdict was unanimously "yes", and so Emily has launched a 'Green Buses for Islington' campaign to ask Ken Livingstone to put the first round of green buses on routes in Islington.

More....

Technorati tag: MP, Press Release

Let's all feel really sorry for the SUV drivers

Oh, okay, let's not.

The Lib Dem controlled council of Richmond Upon Thames has pre-empted national policy with a proposal to increase the cost of parking permits for more polluting vehicles and second cars. This extra charge only applies to vehicles parked in the street, the only ones for which a permit is required, so may not be as effective as they'd like, but it's a start.

Technorati tag: SUV

Google goes solar

EI Solutions has provided solar power for Google's Mountain View campus in California. Output is 1.6 megawatts from 197,000 square feet of solar panelling.

Technorati tag: Solar Power, Google

HELP, and advice, on energy efficiency in Manchester

HELP is the Home Energy Loan Plan, administered by Manchester Care & Repair, from which home owners can get money for energy saving improvements to their homes.

Also of use and interest will be the council's energy efficiency page, which has links to information about grants and energy advice.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Manchester, Grants, Loans

A career in composting

Councils across the country are reruiting people to work on recycling schemes. One such job is that of community composting officer for East Riding Council. The Mail on Sunday, reactionary to the end, feel that this should be mocked for some reason. They go on about the terrible cost, implying that it would be better spent on teachers and such like, ignoring or oblivious to the fact that well run recycling schemes will save the councils more than they're spending on the people running them.

Technorati tag: Recycling, Compost, Reactionary

MPs' Green press releases- energy review edition

It's been a while since the last one of these, so something of a bumper crop. The press releases have been reproduced in full, with most of the spelling and punctuation mistakes left in (I think I deleted one of a pair of full stops). Some of them are out of date as they refer to the Lib-Dem conference last week. None, it appears,mention this week's Labour Party conference here in Manchester.

BETTY WILLIAMS MP PLEDGES NOT TO BUY WILDLIFE SOUVENIRS

Conwy MP Betty Williams is supporting the International Fund for Animal Welfare's campaign to save endangered species from the deadly trinket trade – by pledging not to buy wildlife souvenirs when travelling abroad.

Every year, Customs agents seize thousands of illegal wildlife items, many of them tourist souvenirs made from endangered or threatened species, which are protected by international law.

A YouGov survey carried out for IFAW and published recently reveals that, alarmingly, as many as 600,000 people have returned to the UK from holidays abroad with wildlife souvenirs, including elephant ivory, in the past five years.

In South Africa, IFAW researchers discovered a thriving trade in wildlife souvenirs, including ivory carvings, porcupine quills and sharks' teeth, many of which are being sold illegally to British and other foreign tourists. IFAW warns that the wildlife souvenir trade is having a devastating impact on animal welfare as well as the conservation of endangered species.

IFAW campaigner Nikki Kelly said: "Tourists need to remember that if they don't buy, animals won't die. IFAW is encouraging people travelling abroad to spend their money wisely by buying alternative holiday mementos that benefit local people directly, such as handicrafts, instead of items that harm the wildlife people are coming to see."

Betty Williams MP said: "I am proud to support IFAW's campaign by pledging not to buy wildlife souvenirs when I visit other countries and urge others to do the same. While some souvenirs may appear harmless often they belie a bloody trade. Wild animals belong in the wild, not in our homes. I hope future generations will be lucky enough to experience the thrill of seeing wildlife in its natural habitat and not through history books."

IFAW's 'Think Twice' campaign is also being supported by the influential Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) with celebrities David Jason, Steve Leonard, Chris Tarrant, Twiggy and Shauna Lowry also signing the pledge not to buy wildlife souvenirs.

People wishing to sign IFAW's pledge, and advice for people wishing to have a wildlife-friendly holiday in South Africa or in other parts of the world is available at www.ifaw.org/uk/thinktwice.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE: SPINK OFFERS SCHOOLS DEBATE

TO SECONDARY SCHOOL HEADS CASTLE POINT & College

The question I am offering to be 'discussed' would be:

How to get energy that is secure and affordable, and without destroying the planet.

The importance of climate change is shown in greater focus with every month. This week alone we hear of threats to the Essex coast from the highest tide so far this century, the abandonment of some homes in Suffolk to coastal erosion and the enormously damaging thaw of Russia's permafrost which is accelerating global warming by releasing massive amounts of methane.

Climate change is particularly important for the people of Essex who live in low lying areas.

We need to ask how we can balance energy policy to protect our environment and yet avoid insecurity of supply leading to lights out, and still provide affordable energy to vulnerable people on small fixed incomes.

For instance, should we have a new generation of nuclear power and which alternative forms of sustainable energy should we invest in. And how can we encourage the rest of the world to cut carbon emissions, with China and India sitting on so much available and relatively very cheap coal?

These are key questions that we must address.

OFFER

I am offering to chair a discussion on these key issues and answer questions in each of our local secondary schools and college during the coming months. It is important to ensure our teenagers understand what is happening to their environment and to encourage them to take an interest in science.

I anticipate the discussion could take between 1 and 2 hours, would be on a Friday as I have to be in Westminster other days, and could be a large or small group of older pupils who could prepare statements and/or questions. I really am open to your suggestions on format, which could support students completing both the GCSE Citizenship and A-Level General Studies courses. Please could you consider this offer and if you are able to take it up and feel it might be worthwhile, let me have a contact person and details and I will telephone to arrange a mutually convenient programme, date and time.

Best wishes and thanks

Bob

Some interesting facts on Energy:

The lights went out in areas of Europe and the USA last winter. More than just a nuisance of course!

Each Chinese person 'uses' 2 barrels of oil (equivalent energy) each year, (USA 26 barrels, UK 12 barrels); there are approx 1.4 billion Chinese, 1.1 billion Indian people.

China and India have massive coal supplies which would release CO2 and swamp anything 'we' can do. Therefore, is carbon capture and storage, CCS, one of the answers? Of course, China's demand patterns are quite different to ours.

There is more to energy than power; travel is also a key issue. USA 800 cars per 1000 people, EU 600 and China 15. But the Chinese and Indian people now have the aspiration to get a car at almost any cost! India is now developing a £1200 new car which will not be environmentally friendly.

The world has plenty of oil, more is discovered than extracted each year, but it is a finite resource and are there better uses than burning it! In any case, the world is not at the moment investing sufficient in oil extraction.

What about Calor and Canvey where the plan is to import 5% of the total UK energy needs as LNG. Is the dash for Gas dangerous? Does it expose the UK to insecure sources and possible lights out and uncontrolled prices?

We will be 70% reliant on imported gas very soon unless Government changes its policy.

I am pushing the Government to promote bio ethanol crops and conversion plants, particularly in the eastern region and this makes sense in countryside management, agricultural, environmental and financial terms. There is, of course, much more…

Perhaps these rough notes, and the Leader I wrote for the Science In Parliament journal, attached, could be given to the youngsters (our future scientists and citizens) to provoke responses?

Green Man to visit Bath

Don Foster and Bath Liberal Democrats are pleased to announce that Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, Chris Huhne MP, will be visiting Bath on 28th September.

Whilst in Bath, Chris will raise awareness of local environmental issues and, as part of a national programme, launch the Liberal Democrats' 'Green Tax Switch' campaign. Central to which is the pledge to cut income tax by introducing green taxes.

Environmental issues and the Green Tax Switch will be the key focus of the Lib Dem party conference in Brighton later this month.

Chris will be touring Bath and North East Somerset, visiting a number of Environmental projects including the ECT Recycling plant in Keynsham and the Cleveland Baths in Bath. Chris will also be taking part in a question and answer session with local residents, environmental campaigners and green groups from B&NES.

Commenting, Don said:

"I'm really pleased to welcome the Lib Dem's very own Green Man, Chris Huhne, to Bath and I'm looking forward to his visit.

"The Liberal Democrats are firmly committed to ensuring environmental considerations play a central part in all our policy decisions."

Government must tackle climate change – Foster

Ahead of the annual Liberal Democrat Party Conference, Don Foster has written to the Prime Minister urging him to include a Bill on climate change in the Queens Speech.

Environmental issues and the green tax switch will be the key focus of next week’s conference.

Don has signed EDM 178 which calls for a Bill to be introduced to deal with climate change. This EDM has been supported by Friends of the Earth.

Commenting, Don said:

"Climate change is an issue which must be tackled sooner rather than later. I have written to Tony Blair asking for a Bill on climate change to be included in the Queens Speech as proof that the Government is taking this matter seriously.

"I have received numerous letters about climate change from Bath residents, including many who are members of Bath Friends of the Earth, and I am happy to support them in this matter."

4x4 sales fall as green coalition tightens its grip

The tough stance taken by a green coalition including Emily Thornberry's House of Commons Environment Committee and the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has been recognised by Greenpeace as the number of 4X4s sold in Britain fell this year for the first time ever.

Sales of 4x4s have doubled in the last 10 years, with last year alone seeing an increase in sales of over 12%. However, figures for 2006 show a fall in the number of 4x4s sold, following aggressive green policies from Emily's Environment Committee and the Mayor of London.

Greenpeace has drawn attention to the Environment Committee's recent recommendation to raise road tax on the worst gas-guzzlers to £1,800, along with the Mayor of London's threat of a £25 congestion charge on 'Chelsea Tractors'. Greenpeace say these actions appear to have slowed the trend for polluting vehicles.

Emily said:

"I am determined to get 4x4s off Islington's roads. I've been using every means possible to send 4x4 drivers the message that they're ruining the environment and killing pedestrians. I am glad we've started to buck the trend, but I'll keep up the pressure to make sure this continues"

Greenpeace campaigner Emily Armistead said:

"Tony Blair should enact proposals from backbench MPs to tax these polluting vehicles more heavily so they are driven off our roads completely".

Figures from the Department for Transport show that the number of polluting cars in Britain is falling across the board, as drivers switch to public transport, bikes, or green-fuel cars. Sales of Hybrid Cars like the Toyota Prius more than doubled last year, whilst sales of 4x4s fell for the first time ever between 2005 and 2006.

How do we stop climate change?

Emily Thornberry is inviting her constituents to come and tell her their views on climate change. She will be asking constituents what they think individuals, the government and business can do to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions that cause climate change.

She will also be setting out what she has been doing, as a member of Parliament's Environment Select Committee, to push for policies to reduce climate change. If not stopped, Climate Change will cause rising sea levels, droughts, heat-waves, flooding and violent storms.

Emily said:

"We have to work together to tackle climate change. I'd like to know what people think."

Emily will be joined at the event by Cllr Catherine West, Leader of Islington Labour Group and Mary Taylor, Climate Campaigner for Friends of the Earth.

The event will be from 7pm on Thursday 21st September at the Italian Trade Union Centre, 124 Canonbury Road. Islington South & Finsbury constituents are welcome to attend.

Spink Calls for local Council to take action on Climate Change

Bob Spink says:

As a member of the Climate Change Group, I support this welcome initiative and urge Castle Point Council to sign up to it.

I suspect that Irene Willis, a consistent doughty campaigner on these issues, will be committing the emerging Canvey Council to back this.

Of all councils, Castle Point should be at the forfront in fighting climate change and I urge the council to give us their support immediately.

I know many good councillors already back this move.

Against the backdrop of Canvey's history and geography, and the expected high tides this autumn, I hope the council leadership will give immediate personal support and put this on the next possible agenda for the council to formally sign up to it.

Click Here for Decleration

Click Here for Declaration Postcard

Technorati tag: MP, Press Release

Driven by oil

I missed the other three episodes, but the last edition of Driven by Oil on Radio 4 covered possible solutions, including Sweden's biofuel drive and the plant that renders turkey guts down to their constituent hydrocarbons. You can use the listen again facility to hear the programme.

Technorati tag: Driven by Oil, Radio 4

Dye-sensitized cells- cheaper photovoltaics

Michael Gratzel has the rare honour of having a type of photovoltaic cell named after him. The Gratzel cell was first developed over 15 years ago but is now ready for manufacture and release onto the market. Technology Review talked to him about bringing the product to market.

Technology Review: Why has it been so difficult to make efficient, yet inexpensive solar cells that could compete with fossil fuels as sources of electricity?

Michael Gratzel: It's perhaps just the way things evolved. Silicon cells were first made for [outer] space, and there was a lot of money available so the technology that was first developed was an expensive technology. The cell we have been developing on the other hand is closer to photosynthesis.

via Hugg

Technorati tag: Solar Power, Photovoltaic, Nanoparticles