April 30th, 2010
This month saw the launch of the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme. Formally known as The Carbon Reduction Commitment Scheme, it is the UK’s mandatory climate change and energy saving initiative.
This scheme has been specifically designed to hit the top senior levels of large organisations to educate and bring awareness to the growing improvements to reduce energy use and therefore cutting back on carbon emissions. These targeted carbon emissions are separate to those already covered by climate change agreements and the EU emissions trading scheme.
For those wanting to participate and join the CRC the scheme is going to be run as a ‘cap and trade’ directive and will provide financial incentives to reduce carbon emissions from energy use. Based on annual emissions, there will be allowances for each organisation which can be purchased, and on reducing the emission there funds get directly recycled back into the organisations.
Already in partnership with the Scottish Government, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Department of Environment Northern Ireland, this newly named scheme is going to influence around 20,000 UK public and private sector organisations who are responsible for around 10% of the UK’s emissions.
As the scheme moves forward the registration for organisations to join is now open. Click HERE to find out what the scheme is going to achieve and how you can be part of it.
Tags: carbon emissions, carbon reduction commitment, Climate Change, CRC energy efficiency scheme, energy, energy efficiency | Posted in Energy Efficient, News, carbon emissions
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April 26th, 2010
There is a plan in the pipeline to change the UK clocks to allow for another hour of daylight throughout the year.
The initiative that has been put together by 10:10 has launched and already has the support of both the Labour and Conservative parties. 10:10 are working together with ROSPA (royal society for the prevention of accidents) and have created the Lighter Later campaign and it is believed that it will result in reduced energy consumption, fewer accidents and improved health.
By changing the clocks to GMT+2 in the summer and GMT+1 in the winter and gaining an extra hour of daylight will reduce the daily demand for electricity. This adds up to be ½ million tonnes of Co2 being prevented and moves the UK 10% closer to the reduction in carbon emissions.
However, this is not a new story as changing daylight hours has been planned and tested before but didn’t succeed. Whereas workforce productivity increased and energy was saved it is said that there was an increase in traffic accidents in Scotland. It will be felt that this is a detrimental prospect for Scotland as during the winter months it is very dark and would mean school children are getting to school in the dark mornings.
I feel it is a divided front on how the public feel in this matter. Would changing the clocks really guarantee an extra hour of daylight? Of course it wouldn’t. Just by changing the clocks does not come with a written promise of more sun. But the concept of helping to reduce energy used in homes and potentially reduce the risk of accidents is one to be considered.
Go to the website to sign your name on the list to speak out for “give me more sunshine”.
Tags: 10:10, clock change, GMT, government support, Lighter Later Campaign, ROSPA, time change | Posted in Life Change, Politics, carbon emissions
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April 23rd, 2010
Is now really the right time for Plane Stupid to be continuing with their Subvertising Campaign planned for this weekend? Given the disruptive events of the last week to both the aviation industry and to ordinary people, my first instinct it is a resounding No. Far better to wait until the volcanic dust has settled so to speak, than risk attracting negative press to what would ordinarily be a very healthy expression of very strongly felt beliefs.
However, having taken a cursory look at the impact of the grounding of all European flights, I am now beginning to think that action is needed now more than ever and perhaps striking while the iron is hot is exactly the right thing to do – any press is good press, right?
Reasons for this include:
The grounding of 63,000 flights over four days saved 1.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. That’s more than the annual emissions of many developing countries.
The carbon dioxide released by the volcanic eruption itself is dwarfed by the carbon savings generated by the grounding of all European flights.
The Environmental Transport Association estimated that by April 20th the flight ban had prevented the emission of some 2.8m tonnes of carbon dioxide since the first flights were grounded.
The aviation industry is already asking for a bail out to compensate for lost revenue (around £100 million so far). Given that the industry that has never paid fuel tax, most environmental campaigners understandably think this is a bit rich!
There is the hope that good lessons have been learnt from Mother Nature’s outburst. Firstly and most obviously, that she cannot and will not be messed with. Secondly, the world did not stop revolving because we couldn’t fly and people can and did find alternatives to air travel.
And so, the Plane Stupid Subvertising Blitz continues as planned – kicking the aviation industry whilst it’s down, but not without good reason. I shall leave you with some words of Subvertising encouragement and strong sentiments from the artist Banksy;
“F**k that. Any advert in a public space that gives you no choice whether you see it or not is yours. It’s yours to take, re-arrange and re-use. You can do whatever you like with it. Asking for permission is like asking to keep a rock someone just threw at your head.” Banksy
Tags: aviation industry, Banksy, carbon emissions, plane stupid, Subvertising Campaign | Posted in Airport Protests, Climate Change, Transport, carbon emissions, environment
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April 19th, 2010
In the ever-increasing charge forward to find sustainable sources for biofuels, it has been found that green algae could be the answer. The Algae Biofuels Challenge has taken shape and a team of 11 UK scientific institutions have been selected to begin work to find a winning formula for refining 70 billion litres of algae biofuel by 2030.
Green algae, the type found floating on the surface of ponds, rivers etc is what is know as a microalgae and it is this that has researchers and scientists excited about producing a biofuel. Getting down to the scientific facts of algae, and green algae in particular, it has a very high percentage of lipids and oils and is made up of many tiny organisms. These organisms are capable of photosynthesis making the process and green algae an exciting move towards a future of sustainable resources.
The microalgae, not to be confused with macroalgae which is seaweed, can double their overall mass over several times in a day and can produce 15 times more oil per acre than any other alternative. The green algae is producing results off the charts making the current fuels rapeseed, palm and soybean seem dated. Another bonus of the algae production is that there can be a daily collection of the mature algae (this is the top layer that is separated away and accumulated), compared to the crops of soy or corn that can only be harvested yearly.
A following task of adding ethanol to the algae will make a suitable bio diesel and any remaining waste can be developed into a high-protein animal feed. From pond to engine there is no wastage and is very time and energy efficient. This process has already been tried, tested and approved in Florida and there is now plans for a 100,000 gallon pilot plant due to open this year in Okeechobee.
Tags: Algae Biofuels Challenge, Biodiesel, Biofuels, environment, Sustainability | Posted in Biofuels, Sustainability, environment
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April 16th, 2010
Dorset county council recently put in planning permission to have a new £2million recycling centrebuilt in Swanage. It has now been confirmed that the planning has been given the go-ahead and building is due to start this summer.
It is going to be the first of its kind to allow both household and small to medium business recycling waste to be deposited at the same site. An estimated 3,000 tonnes of household and trade waste per year will go through this new centre.
Local households and businesses are going to benefit from the modern, clean, efficient and enhanced recycling facilities at the new centre. The aims for this site will not only encourage more people to recycle but will help Dorset to reach their target to recycle 60% of waste by 2015. It will be money well spent for the local people of Swanage and the local area as they will have a clean and reliable site to go to with their recycling waste and therefore sending less to landfill.
The existing recycling site at Panorama Road, Swanage has been labelled as unsuitable for long-term use and is a very small site making it difficult for trucks to unload. The original site is due to stay open until December 2011, allowing for the purpose built recycling centre (pic above) to be completed at Prospect Business Park, off Victoria Avenue. Expected opening to the public is Autumn 2011.
Tags: Dorset County Council, efficient recycling, Recycling, Recycling Centre, trade recycling | Posted in Local Councils, News, Recycling
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April 12th, 2010
It has come time for sailors to stop saying that all ’stink pots’ aka motorboats pollute the seas with their fuel guzzling engines.
It is all about the environment and conserving the world’s seas and oceans for boat designing company J&J Design. Brothers Jernej and Japec Jakopin have designed over 250 boats both power and sail for manufacturers all over the world and have won over 30 Boat of the Year Awards in several different countries.
J&J Design have teamed up with VW Marine and renowed boat builders Seawayto bring their ideas for the future of motor boating into being in the form of the Greenline 33 (pic left)
The Greenline 33 is dedicated to efficiency producing four times less fossil fuels in a year than any other planing powerboat and is completely emission-free in the electric mode. These great features of the Greenline 33 means that for a boating family they are hugely reducing their carbon footprint by going green out at sea.
Not only for people out using the Greenline but for others enjoying the seas and boating areas there will be the added bonus of no smoke, no wake and no noise. The lithium batteries can have up to a 10 year life expectancy and the solar panelled roof will keep batteries charged and provide additional energy supply to the electric drives on board. This is all encompassed in a beautifully designed layout with comfortable and attractive features to appeal to any boating family, couple etc.
The mission is to preserve the world and its top boating areas for future generations. There is no reason why a motorboat cannot be enjoyed out on the water without it causing any damage to the environment or the water it is in. Already exceeding expectations, the Greenline 33 has gained J&J Design another Boat of the Year Award by winning the title at the HISWA (Dutch Boat Show) 2010. For all information and the design behind this new green creation go to www.greenlinehybrid.com
Tags: Economical, Energy Efficient, Greenline | Posted in Energy Efficient, News, Self sufficiency, Transport
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April 6th, 2010
Plane Stupid is inciting a ‘subvertising’ campaign on the weekend of April 22nd/23rd.
Designed to get activist’s voices heard above the noise of corporate advertising, the event encourages people to make their own stickers/slogans or download versions available on flicker: And then plaster them over advertisements for the aviation industry.
The event is also being run as a competition with prizes including spray cans, Culture Jam by Kalle Lasn, Do It Yourself, A handbook for changing our world by the Trapese Collective and Scribbleboy by Philip Ridley.
To win participants take photos of their stickers in situ and send them to info@planestupid.com using a temporary email address in an internet cafe and under a pseudonym. The group who stickers the most adverts in the 48 hour period wins.
The need for secrecy is explained in the Plane Stupid disclaimer: ‘Some officers of the law may be convinced that subvertising is borderline illegal, so take a friend as lookout, keep an eye open for CCTV and don’t get caught.’
I for one am going to be really interested to see the response to this event and whether it gets any positive or negative media coverage. An organized event of this nature could easily be termed as inciting vandalism and yet protesters are clearly being driven to take action because their views are not being heard, listened to or considered.
Clearly organizers intend the event a peaceful demonstration. The Plane Stupid disclaimer goes on to note: ‘Please be respectful about where you sticker. Corporate nasties are fine…..but the local old people’s homes may not appreciate your art on their walls! Use your head.’
In a world where we are bombarded with advertising from every quarter is this such a bad way to get your views across?
For more information visit the Plane Stupid Website
Tags: advertising, aviation industry, get your sticker on!, plane stupid, subverising | Posted in Airport Protests, Events, Transport, education
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