January 27th, 2010
The unrelenting driving force behind the Weymouth Relief Road project is the so-called Green 2012 Olympics. Despite campaigner’s insistence and the findings of independent research body Transport Research Laboratory, that the town’s infrastructure cannot cope with the huge expected influx of people and traffic to the area, it seems the government and local councils remain hell-bent on shoehorning everyone in somehow.
Work began late last year on identifying a site for the Olympic Sailing Village after plans for using an off-shore cruise ship were rejected. It is estimated that with the arrival of approximately 400 international athletes, around 500 to 600 bedrooms will be required to accommodate all the competitors and officials…
With 3,300 people already on the housing register in Weymouth and Portland local councils area hoping that any new developments will be turned into affordable homes for locals after the 2012 Olympics.
Government now imposes strict environmental standards upon new council building projects, including legislation on insulation, energy efficiency standards, double glazing and the use of sustainable materials. However taking into account government actions to date, it seems where the 2012 ‘Green’ Olympics are concerned, environmental interests fly well and truly out the window.
Tags: 2012 Olympics, government, Green Olympics, housing crisis, Local Council, Weymouth Relief Road | Posted in 2012
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January 14th, 2010
Irresponsible and unacceptable – this was how environmentalist Rebecca Lush described the building of the Weymouth Relief Road which got underway last year. The views of thousands of environmental protestors and locals were ignored, irrevocably scarring an area of natural beauty and dramatically increasing traffic, congestion and Co2 levels in the area. Even the incredible discovery of an ancient Roman burial site during clearance work, did nothing to slow the destruction process…
For more pictures and information visit the Bypass The Bypass website where you can also register your support and/or make a donation.
Tags: 2012 Olympics, Bypass the Bypass, carbon emissions, Green Olympics, Weymouth Relief Road | Posted in 2012, New Road Protests, carbon emissions, environment
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November 25th, 2009
Alex Hartley, an artist, has discovered an island in the Arctic. It appeared from beneath the melting ice of a retreating glacier in the High Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. Alex was the first person ever to stand on it and has named it Nowhereisland. With this project Alex won the Artists Taking the Lead prize for the South West of England
Obviously distressed by this casualty of global warming, Alex has arranged, as part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, to use a part of it to highlight the climate change crisis we are facing.
The ‘portion’ referred to, will be transported by barge to Poole, in Dorset by mid July 2012. It will then embark a 702 mile coastal journey to Weymouth, arriving in time for the start of the Olympic sailing events in August.
The artist hopes that the island will capture international interest and by registering it as a micro nation and allowing people to become citizens, it is highly likely that he will succeed. Alex said, ‘The island addresses the most significant global issue of our time, namely how we can respond to the urgent issue of climate change together.’
For those of you who are wondering, some time after the Olympics the land mass will be returned to the Arctic and made whole again.
Tags: Alex Hartley, Arctic, artist, climate change crisis, Global Warming, island, London 2012 Olympics, Nowhereisland | Posted in 2012, Climate Change, education, environment, rising sea levels
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October 7th, 2009
Team Green Britain is an online organisation which encourages people to join and participate in making Britain greener.
Currently their focus is on the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. They intend to show the world that Britain is winning the war against climate change.
Team Green Britain is supported by EDF Energy, The Eden Project, London 2012 and Global Action Plan.
The general idea is for everyone to get involved, even if it is only in a very small way, for example; being more aware of carbon footprints, switching off lights, appliances etc… and understanding that with a very small, but continual effort, a difference can be made. Then and very importantly, passing this message on to friends, relatives, neighbours and colleagues. Small steps maybe, but slowly spreading this message will hopefully educate people and social groups, bringing with it a sense of ‘community’ and the joint desire to improve the environment.
This approach may initially appear naïve, but imagine the impact if thousands upon thousands joined in, purely by word of mouth! Click Here to find out more
Tags: 2012, EDF Energy, Global Action Plan, London 2012, Olympic, Paralympic, Team Green Britain, The Eden Project | Posted in 2012, Climate Change, Events, Life Change, environment
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August 25th, 2009
Not only can Portland boast hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic sailing events, but also in September of this year work will commence to create an eco-friendly, low carbon community.
This new development will be sited at the former Royal Navy Air Station’s Osprey Quay. The 77 new homes promise to reduce carbon emissions by more than half compared with conventional properties.
Features will include wood pellet boilers, rainwater harvesting systems, solar water heating and solar panels to generate electricity. In addition to this residents will have the opportunity to pay for access to an electric smart car which will be kept on site.
The developers are expecting the work to take two years to complete. Let’s hope it is successful and the first of many!
Tags: 2012 Olympics, eco-friendly, electric cars, low carbon community, Paralympics, Portland, rainwater harvesting systems, sailing, solar panels, solar water heating, wood pellet boilers | Posted in 2012, Self sufficiency, Sustainable Energy
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