March 30th, 2010
A housing development plan that has been put forward to be placed at Talbot Heath has been condemned by the RSPB.
The housing project application is said to be for 450 student flats and 378 homes and is to sit alongside the heathlands in Poole. A protest has been lodged to the Poole Borough Council and they along with other Dorset councils have committed to safeguard the heaths from any residential development within 400 metres, under a planning framework.
The RSPB have fears that this huge development will do a lot of damage to the unique wildlife that live on the heath. It is going to cause a huge disturbance and put immense pressure on the heathlands and the inhabitants it supports like the Dartford Warblers and the rare sand lizards. Not only is it going to have an enormous effect on the heathlands and wildlife, this development is only going to add to the already traffic congested Wallisdown Road.
Talbot heath is not only a protected site, has countless statutory designations being named a UK site of special scientific interest, European special protection area and special area of conservation it is also a wetland site of international importance under the RAMSAR convention.
The RSPB are standing alongside the local residents, Natural England and Dorset Wildlife Trust who are all against these housing plans.
Tags: Dorset Wildlife Trust, housing development, Natural England, Poole Council, protest, RAMSAR, RSPB, Talbot Heath, Wildlife | Posted in Local Councils, News, Wildlife, environment
Comments: No Comments yet!
March 28th, 2010
Protesters from West Midlands Climate Action together with local activists are currently camping at the Huntington Lane Surface Mine Site to claim the land. The area is the proposed site of an open-cast mine. The decision was taken to take up camp after discovering that trees had been felled in the area, indicating that works were due to begin.
West Midlands Climate Action will be holding a weekend gathering at the site as part of Fossil Fools day from Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th April. The weekend will include; a ramble over the proposed Huntington Lane Surface Mine Site, Banner drops, campaign planning and most importantly carrying out any work on site that needs doing to help establish a permanent base on site.
Organizers are keen for as many people as possible to come a show their support, be it for the whole weekend of just a day – all support will be very much appreciated.
The camp is situated a 20 minute walk from Wellington station which is just outside of Telford. If you’re interested in finding out more check out the blog at the following address: http://wmclimateaction.wordpress.com
Tags: Fossil Fools Weekend, Huntington Lane, open-cast mining, surface mine, West Midlands Climate Action | Posted in Events, Protest Marches
Comments: No Comments yet!
March 24th, 2010
Did you know that according to The Campaign for Better Transport, airplane fuel is not taxed at all in the UK?
There is no VAT on air travel or even new aircraft when they are bought. Amazingly the Treasury estimates that this subsidises the UK airline industry by a staggering £10 billion every year! It’s incredible that despite all this help the airlines are still plagued by strikes and raising prices.
Headlines have been dominated this week by British Airways again cancelling flights. This is now becoming an old story with talks, strikes and flight disruptions having been head-line news for the last 5 months.
The strikes that occurred at Christmas last year clearly didn’t get them what they wanted and now the cabin crew are unhappy with pay and staffing levels on long-haul flights.This set of strikes is just another notch on the already marked line of disagreement s between BA officials and staff over changes to pay and working conditions. Even with Brendan Barber, head of TUC (Trades Union Congress) communicating with union officials from Unite and British Airways, it seems to be fruitless as the BA cabin crew are threatening to strike for yet another four days starting on Saturday 27th March. A total of 200 BA flights have been cancelled and more are expected over the following days in expectation of the next set of strikes. The striking and cancellations have meant a loss of £21m for BA, a total of £7m per day and these costs are not likely to end here.
BA’s chief executive Willie Walsh has so far shown no signs of backing down, but BA are coming to a point where they have nowhere else to turn and if they don’t find ways to cut their losses they are going to struggle to survive.
For BA passengers hoping to travel over the weekend, it is not looking too promising with London Heathrow having the most flights cancelled. However, BA has announced that there will be no severe disruption to passengers and the majority of the services will operate normally in the next coming days. For all flight and BA information find out here.
However, if you have no regard for your carbon footprint whatsoever, but would like to take full advantage of the loopholes in UK aviation taxation laws, then the best thing to do would be to charter your own plane. Last year more than 67,000 flights in private jets avoided paying any tax at all, despite emitting up to 30 times more carbon dioxide per passenger.
At least commercial passengers pay £11 for short haul and up to £110 for long haul flights in a shallow nod towards compensation for the carbon footprint of their journey, but it seems very small aircraft, used almost exclusively by the rich and famous are exempt! The Campaign for Better Transport have been spearheading the campaign to tax aviation fairly for years. Visit their website to find out more.
Tags: British Airways, Campaign for Better Transport, cancelled flights, carbon footprints, strikes, TUC, Unite | Posted in News, Transport
Comments: No Comments yet!
March 21st, 2010
Following on from the dire disappointment that was Copenhagen 2009, Campaign against Climate Change have rallied.
In a large scale reflection of the recent rise in popularity of grassroots environmental activities, Campaign against Climate Change, recognize that the only way in influence environmental change in Europe and the world, is to set a good example at home. Because of this they have initiated a call for Emergency Climate Action from the UK government.
- 10% cut in emissions by the end of 2010 – or within one year.
- A million climate jobs – by the end of 2010 – or within one year - through a GREEN ENERGY REVOLUTION with massive investment in renewable energy, insulation programs, improved public transport etc… See more here.
- Banning domestic flights – building a better train/coach network
- 55 mile an hour speed limit – ending the roads program, massive investment in public transport
- End agrofuel use – and eliminate the demand for products associated with rainforest destruction.
Government information programme – massive campaign to inform the public of the scale of the climate threat – booklet in every home, regular TV info, etc..
If like Campaign against Climate Change you believe that the best way to influence the international community is through bold action at home in the UK, then you can put your support behind the EARLY DAY MOTION proposed by Colin Challen MP.
To help build momentum and to find out ways to lobby your local MP to sign EDM 189 find out more here.
Tags: Campaign against Climate Change, Climate Emergency, Copenhagen, government | Posted in Uncategorized
Comments: No Comments yet!
March 17th, 2010
- Tidal Turbine
This month saw David Kidney MP, Under secretary for energy and climate change speak at the Renewable UK Conference in Westminster. The topic of the talk was on the growing productivity of wave and tidal energy in the UK. He commented “Harnessing electricity from our wave and tidal resources not only plays a crucial part in meeting our climate change target; but also presents a significant economic opportunity for the UK.”
Wind power is now the top renewable source, due to the expansion of offshore wind farms and this is an encouraging move towards harnessing weather elements. David Kidney has pledged to support the wave and tidal power projects and it is now said that the UK are seen as the leaders in marine energy technology.
In April 2008, the world’s first commercial tidal current power system with a capacity of 1.2MW was put into action in Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland. With the tide flowing at over 7.4 knots it was an ideal location to place this world’s first.
The SeaGen tidal turbine was installed by MCT (Marine Current Turbines Ltd) and is the largest grid-connected marine renewable system in the world. Similar to the wind turbines it is a modular technology and works on generating low carbon energy.
Strangford Lough’s turbine has recently reached the milestone marker of 1000 operational hours, being the first and only tidal turbine to have done so. This world’s largest ever tidal current device generates clean and sustainable electricity for 1000 homes and has so far delivered over 800MW into the Northern Ireland grid. With expectations being exceeded for this system it is leading the way in technology of this type and will shape the future of tidal current power. Martin Wright MCT’s MD reflected “We will build on the success ofSeaGen to develop a commercial tidal farm of up to 10MW in UK waters within three years.”
After recently being granted the lease, MCT are going to deploy the award-winning SeaGenturbines off Brough Ness, on the southernmost tip of the Orkney Islands and north east of John O’Groats. By 2017, 66 SeaGen tidal turbines are going to be placed in three phases with a total generating capacity of 99MW. That’s enough power for almost 100,000 homes.
Tags: Climate Change, Marine Turbines, renewable energy, renewable resource, SeaGen, tidal power | Posted in Climate Change, Energy Efficient, Sustainable Energy, carbon emissions, environment, renewable energy
Comments: No Comments yet!
March 15th, 2010
Founded in 1992 the ELF is a national UK charity which helps people to use the law to protect and improve the local environment. Involved in the big environmental tribunals, ELF’s real work is focused mostly at a grassroots level, supporting cases involving pesticides, bypasses and waterways; it has been described as a ‘village-green preservation society, staffed by quick-thinking lawyers’.
Proud of their record for not taking on causes, their focus is purely and making environmental justice accessible to all. The Environmental Law Foundation’s network of specialist lawyers and consultants provide support, advice and guidance on all law green matters together with education, training, lectures, conferences, environmental publications and support for green policy expansion.
They appear to be doing some incredible work, check out their website at http://www.elflaw.org/site/
Tags: ELF, environmental law, Environmental Law Foundation, local environment, UK charity | Posted in Uncategorized, environment
Comments: No Comments yet!
March 12th, 2010
March 3rd, US President Barack Obama urged congress to consider his Homestar Program to promote greener homes in the US.
Now being nicknamed “Cash for Caulkers”, the Homestar program outlines plans for a government rebate to US businesses and homeowners who refit their homes to become more energy efficient. This includes replacing windows, doors, insulation and using other resourceful materials from an approved list.
Obama believes this initiative is going to revitalise the US construction industry, creating more jobs and lowering household energy bills. It could cost $6 billion to put into place but will pay back rebates to some 3 million homeowners direct from hardware stores or contractors. The incentives are attracting attention already with promised instant payouts of up to $1500 for an upgrade and up to $3000 for a home refit.
However, this is still being discussed by congress and has not yet been passed as law, but the Homestar Coalition have put in to place some strategies to help senators and congressional representatives to see the light.
Tags: Energy Efficient, government rebate, Homeowners, Homestar, lower energy | Posted in Energy Efficient, News, Politics, Sustainable Energy, carbon emissions, environment
Comments: Only 1 comment so far. Add to the discussion!
March 8th, 2010
Surely the announcement of a £1billion investment in wind farm off the coast of Dorset is a matter of civic pride and not a threat. That’s the hope which Guy Madgwick, Director of Business at Eneco, the company hoping to undertake the project, expressed in the Bournemouth Echo.
Not only could the construction create up to 2,300 jobs, but the site itself could generate power for approximately 587,000 homes.
The area being considered for the new wind farm is roughly 25km out to sea and stretches from south of the Needles on the Isle of Wight to the Purbecks. It will only be visible in the distance on clear days so could not be considered an eyesore.
The UK is apparently the windiest country in Europe and with wind generated power currently the most developed and effective of alternative energy sources, the project seems to present an exciting win-win situation.
Posted in Sustainable Energy, renewable energy
Comments: 3 comments already but you can still join in!
March 5th, 2010
A 60 mile long iceberg, known as B9B, has smashed into the Mertz Glacier tongue in Antarctica. The Mertz Glacier is a 100-mile long tongue of ice which the B9B iceberg broke away from in 1987.
Over a period of nearly 8 weeks, the B9B iceberg approached the glacier and with tide and current slowly hammered into the tongue of ice.
On the 26th February, the Mertz Glacier tongue broke off creating a new iceberg measuring 50 miles by 25 miles. This iceberg could now disrupt weather patterns for years to come.
Both icebergs are now floating 90 miles off the northern coast in the Antarctic Continental Shelf and combined, they are weighing in at over 1000 billion tons. The Mertz Tongue Iceberg contains a year’s supply of fresh water for 1/5 of the world’s population and could potentially block the ‘bottom water’ which powers the oceans circulation system. ‘Bottom water’ is the lowest layer of ocean, cold-salt water and Antarctica produces bottom water for the South Pacific, Southern Indian Ocean, South Atlantic and portions of the North Atlantic.
Changes in these waters and currents could influence weather patterns around the world and would make Britain colder as we would not have the mild sea temperatures brought in by the Atlantic drift.
With such a mass floating in the ocean it could also reduce the amount of oxygen in the oceans jeopardising marine wildlife. Emperor penguins, bird life and seals could be under threat.
Experts say that ‘iceberg calving’- which occurs when these icebergs break off, does happen from time to time and that this occurrance is by no means a record large iceberg.
The icebergs are expected to head west along the Antarctic coastline.
Tags: Antarctic, Atlantic drift, Icebergs, Weather, weather change, weather patterns | Posted in News, Wildlife, environment, rising sea levels
Comments: No Comments yet!
March 2nd, 2010
Jan 15th marked the one year anniversary since then transport secretary Geoff Hoon announced Labour’s intentions to forge ahead with a third runaway at Heathrow. This announcement was made regardless of the environmental impact of flattening the two villages Sipson and Harmondsworth along with 700 homes. Noise and air pollution, which already fall below European standards will increase dramatically and an expected increase in passenger numbers from 67 million to 82 million a year, will mean that the third runway at Heathrow, will make the airport the UK’s single biggest source of carbon emissions.
Building on their already incredible Airplot campaign, Greenpeace has now launched a national competition to design an impenetrable fortress on the land currently identified as the site for the new runway. Greenpeace bought the land last year in a bid to complicate legality issues surrounding the expansion. The site currently has over 60,000 beneficial owners worldwide with more signing up every day. Greenpeace propose to raise the funds to construct the winning design once it’s been chosen which will be used to support all peaceful campaigners against the expansion.
Register your support by clicking on the image below
Posted in Airport Protests, carbon emissions
Comments: No Comments yet!