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

MPs' green press releases

Government could drive biodiesel off the road - Williams

Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Food and Rural Affairs, Roger Williams, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon and Radnorshire today criticized Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs for their review on biodiesel – due to end tomorrow.

A point in the terms of reference of the Review implies that the Government is planning to increase the duty on vegetable oils and biodiesels as fuels. This could see the duty on these fuels more than double from 21.1pence/litre to a whopping 47.1pence/litre.

Commenting on this news, Roger Williams said: "With this government making such a big song and dance about green energy, it is shocking that they are considering lumbering those who want to make a difference to their ecological footprint with such a hefty price rise.

"The biodiesel and vegetable oil industries are young, so such a huge hike in the levels of duty runs the risk of stopping these industries in their tracks.

"Such actions undermine investor confidence in the industry and in consumers who may choose not to convert their vehicles to use the more environmentally sound varieties.

"It's ludicrous that while we pay just 9p/litre of duty on most normal fuels, environmentally friendly biodiesel and vegetable oil fuels carry twice as much tax.

"Many farmers in Wales have been encouraged to diversify their activities and invest in biodiesels and vegetable oils. An increase on the duty paid on their products is a betrayal to them and to everyone who is deeply concerned about the threat of climate change.

"I have written to the HMRC to express my concern and ask them for their reasoning behind such proposals."

"AGROTERRORISM COULD THREATEN UK ECONOMY AND FOOD SUPPLY" - WILLIAMS

With attention focused on airplanes and transport infrastructure as the main means of launching a terrorist attack on the UK, a threat to Britain's food supply has been relatively overlooked. Agroterrorism could impact the UK's economy, as well as food supply.

Speaking on the possibility of an agroterrorist attack on the UK, Roger Williams MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Food and Rural Affairs said:

"Contamination of a nation's food supply could be a very easy task for terrorists to achieve, with chemical agents easy to conceal and distribute. Agro-terrorism is furthermore a very cost-effective form of causing major disruption, with a small amount of a high risk chemical potentially producing an epidemic of nationwide proportions."

"There is also the risk of an agroterrorist attack elsewhere in the world which could lead to a halt in imports and increased British agricultural self-sufficiency. DEFRA has quoted that we have between 15 and 25 days' supply of wheat for milling, but I will be writing to Ben Bradshaw to find out how many days' supply we have of other important foodstuffs."

"This is not an issue for public panic, but one that DEFRA and the farming community should be looking into, formulating precautionary actions to be taken in the event of such an attack. We must also look again at what agriculture can do to reduce the better known threat of terrorist bombs containing fertilisers. I believe we need to review the security of fertiliser stores as up to 66% of farmers do not consider it at all."

Technorati tag: MP, Press Release

Ten years to the tipping point

The world only has ten years to make the huge changes needed to combat global warming, according to an energy expert. Peter Smith was addressing the British Association festival of science in Norwich when he made the claims.

"The scientific opinion is that we have a ceiling of 440 parts per million (ppm) of atmospheric carbon before there is a tipping point, a step change in the rate of global warming," Professor Smith said. "The rate at which we are emitting now, around 2ppm a year and rising, we could expect that that tripping point will reach us in 20 years' time. That gives us 10 years to develop technologies that could start to bite into the problem."

Smith believes the recent energy review was incredibly short-sighted, not just in its insistence on flogging the dead horse of nuclear but also because it ignored almost completely the potential of wave and tidal energy around the British coatsline.

Technorati tag: Tipping Point, Global Warming

£2,202 a year to run a car

The cost of keeping a car on the road has risen by 7.2%, up from £2,053 last year, mainly because of rising fuel costs. Of course, that article fails to mention the most obvious way to save on motoring expenses- don't use, or even have, a car in the first place.

Technorati tag: Motoring

Just put my remains in a cheap box and grill me

Yesterday I spent a few hours wandering around the sprawling Southern Cemetery in Chorlton. One thought that formed whilst staring at headstones was that I want (in 60+ years preferably) to be buried in a biodegradable coffin with a tree planted on top of me. I'll work on other ways to create lasting memorials to satisfy my eternal ego. I was going to do some research and post on the subject but, coincidentally, City Hippy did just that today.

(Title from Second to last will and testament - Carter USM)

Technorati tag: Funeral, Green, biodegradable

Antarctic ice tells us about global warming

The latest ice core yet drilled from Antarctica has been analysed and shown that carbon dioxide levels are currently the highest for 800,000 years. No doubt there are a bunch of professional deniers lining up to tell us that just means we have an abundance of "life".

Technorati tag: Carbon Dioxide, Antarctic