January 31st, 2010
Chew Magna, the beautiful, traditional village in Somerset, has been labelled ‘Britain’s Greenest Village’.
Following a parish council survey, it became clear that the biggest concern of the community was the environment and as a result the Go-Zero project was initiated.
Villagers now strive towards zero-waste and buy local produce including; fruit, vegetables, venison, ice-cream, medicinal herbs and trout from Chew Valley Lake. Action groups are discussing and encouraging the inhabitants to recycle more, change their transport methods and reduce their home energy consumption. Local energy companies have even donated light bulbs which the villagers can pick up for free. Approximately 85 percent of the village now recycles, that is almost 4 times the national average.
Chew Magna have also set up a ‘carbon-offset fund’; when someone books a flight with the local travel agent, the distance travelled determines their donation to the fund, even their journey to the airport will be eco-friendly, as the village has plans to run it’s own bio-fuelled coach shuttle service.
This community have many other plans in the pipe-line including becoming a Fairtrade village, following their support for African charities. What is truly inspirational is that all this came about because the community consolidated and discussed their concerns for the environment and together they were motivated to make changes – perhaps this small idyllic rural village will be responsible for providing a template for other towns and villages in the country.
Tags: Britain’s Greenest Village, carbon off-setting, Chew Magna, environment, go-zero, Recycling | Posted in Life Change, Recycling, Sustainability, Transport, carbon emissions, environment
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November 27th, 2009
The major supplier of EV’s is a Danish company called Better Place, it is strategically located and now joined in partnership with the Danish government, just in time for the Worldwide Summit for Climate Change, which is to be held in Copenhagen, this December.
As EV’s are expected to be at the forefront of personal transportation within the next ten years, it’s not surprising that nearly every major car manufacturer has a program to develop these cars. Better Place is currently working with the Renault-Nissan Alliance and in talks with other car makers worldwide. They are en route to be a front runner in the introduction of EV’s as the future of global personal road transportation.
Electric Vehicles have instant torque and provide a smooth quiet drive. As they have half the moving parts of traditional cars there is less to go wrong, so cheaper maintenance costs are anticipated. Typically, the battery lasts for up to 100 miles and takes between 4 to 8 hours to recharge – so ideal for around town driving and to and from work (if you are not a travelling salesman, or the like, obviously), the car can then be recharged in the garage overnight. However, there will be charging posts at car parks and workplaces for those who tend to drive a little further afield, allowing them to top-up while the driver goes about their daily business. For journeys over 100 miles there will be easily accessible ‘switching stations’, which will enable the battery to be changed in less time and with less fuss than refuelling a normal car.
As these vehicles evolve, within a decade the majority of us could be driving EV’s! It really is an inspirational concept.
Tags: Better Place, Copenhagen, Electric Vehicles, EV's, World Summit on Climate Change | Posted in Climate Change, Events, Transport, carbon emissions
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November 23rd, 2009
Ensus is building Europe’s largest wheat refinery at Wilton in Teesside, intending to meet one third of the UK’s bioethanol demand.
Biofuels help combat climate change because the crops from which they are produced absorb carbon dioxide as they grow. Carbon dioxide is released as they are burned, but absorbed by new crops again, making a complete cycle.
There will undeniably be a huge impact on the UK’s wheat producing farmers and concern about how they will cope in years of poor harvest. Even environmental campaigners, Friends of the Earth are claiming that the potential deforestation to produce new farmland is just not worth it. Ensus insists however that the wheat supply will be provided by EU countries only and will also contribute to animal feed, therefore reducing the need for soya meal which comes from areas of deforestation.
So are biofuels worthwhile? On the positive side, they massively reduce carbon emissions and are cheap to the consumer. On the negative side they could result in deforestation and the destruction of animal habitats. In addition to this, biofuel production is not yet energy efficient.
Do we need to look at the bigger picture and regard biofuels as a work in progress, living in hope that this is a step in the right direction?
Tags: bioethanol, Biofuels, carbon emissions, deforestation, energy efficiency, Ensus, Friends of the Earth | Posted in Biofuels, Sustainable Energy, Transport, Wildlife, carbon emissions
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November 13th, 2009
For the non-cyclist, but ‘green aware’ why not look at your lifestyle and see if you could do at least one errand/work/leisure/trip by bike? It’s a fantastic way to keep fit whilst reducing your carbon footprint.
Did you know that cycling 20 miles a week for a beginner can reduce the risk of heart attack by 50%?! There is no denying that this statistic is worth some serious consideration – cycling to work could not only be useful, environmentally friendly, but life saving!
And if you’re really keen to make a difference, you can always get involved with your nearest Critical Mass movement.
Tags: Bike, Critical Mass, cycling, environment, health, lifestyle | Posted in Climate Change, Life Change, Transport, environment
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October 10th, 2009
Following the posting on Greenmomentum on 26, July 2009 outlining the usage of speed cameras in the exclusive area of Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset, it now appears that Islington Council have jumped on the bandwagon.
Following complaints about the volume and speed of cyclists, the council in their wisdom have laid 14 speed bumps in the alleyway of a residential area in North London. The move came in fear, that one day a pedestrian would be injured by a careless cyclist.
As expected the cyclists are absolutely outraged and there is the added dimension of the implication these obstacles will have on the disabled, elderly and mothers with buggies and prams.
Who’s at Fault…?
A move has been made by Government advisors to make motorists legally responsible by default, should they be involved in an accident with a cyclists, even if the motorist is not a fault.
The idea stems from regulations in place in the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany. It seems a little extreme that a motorist should pay for an accident caused by the dangerous manoeuvre of a cyclist, however if a realistic compromise could be reached, as cyclist groups point out, it would encourage more people to get out of their cars and make more journeys by bike, on foot or by public transport.
On a lighter note…
A German brothel is offering cyclists a 5 euro discount, if they travel to the establishment by bike. The owner said, ‘it’s good for business, it’s good for the environment and it’s good for the girls!’
Tags: Cyclists, cyclists rights, Islington Council, leave the car at home, North London, pedestrians | Posted in Local Councils, News, Transport, environment
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August 21st, 2009
The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games have been billed as the greenest games in history.
The organisers are striving to exploit and improve the Brownfield sites, while respecting and preserving the Greenfield areas.
The Brownfield site (underdeveloped, derelict or contaminated land), in this case the Lower Lea Valley in London, will house the Olympic Village and the area will post-games become the biggest new park in the city.
The Greenfield sites (area which has not been used for non-agricultural development) such as Hackney Marshes and London Fields will be used sympathetically, meaning that nothing permanent or damaging will be built in these areas.
Also 2012 will be ‘car free’ (except for disabled vehicles), construction will minimise pollution, waste and wildlife habitats will be protected. In addition to this, the organisers are conscious of taking every opportunity to educate Londoners about the importance of sustainable development.
Green Olympics
Tags: 2012, car free zone, green games, greenfield sites, London, Olympics | Posted in News, Transport
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July 30th, 2009
The competition to find the most expensive local UK bus journey launched by Campaign for Better Transport concludes tomorrow.
For last minute entries visit the Campaign for Better Transport website, www.bettertransport.org.uk or email journey details (distance travelled or time taken or destinations served), and cost, along with your name and email address to campaigns@bettertransport.org.uk.
Campaign for Better Transport hopes to shame the Government into bringing down fares by investing more in buses. The person who submits the most expensive journey will win a £50 voucher.
Sarah Matthews, a campaigner in the group, said,
“More people would travel by bus if it were cheaper. Higher bus use would reduce traffic, making it easier for us to get around, and be better for the environment. Affordable buses are also a lifeline for many people, making it possible for them to get to work, the shops, the GP and other services.”
Tags: bus fares, Campaign for Better Transport, government support, public transport | Posted in Climate Change, Local Councils, News, Transport
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July 26th, 2009
There is public outrage in Poole, Dorset as cyclists feel they are being victimised.
Many residents cycle along the promenade at Sandbanks, not only because they care about the environment, want to stay fit and healthy, but purely for pleasure and now Bournemouth Council have seen fit to introduce the draconian, patronising and anti-environmental measure of using speed cameras!
In this day and age would it not be far more responsible for our councils to encourage this form of environmentally friendly commuting and find some sort of compromise rather that alienating the cyclists?
Tags: anti-environmental, Bournemouth, cycling, Cyclists, Sandbanks | Posted in Local Councils, Transport
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June 29th, 2009
Set 35 yrs into the future, time is the predominant theme. From the minute the opening credits start to roll there’s no escaping it, or more specifically, the lack of it. The impressive opening sets an ominous tone, but the cut to supposedly ‘special’ effects representing the impact of climate change on society, although believable as concepts, sadly are not believable as effects.
Things only get worse once the Archive is introduced; a computer generated ‘Matrix’ like structure so foreboding it has to be accompanied by the mandatory clap of thunder every time it’s in shot – it’s more evil villain’s lair than last vestige of civilization. Unfortunately the Archivist Pete Postlethwaite goes on to utterly ruin this film and I can’t stress this strongly enough. The whole idea of the archivist is an appallingly week structure on which to hang such an important narrative, turning a series of fascinating documentaries, into nothing more than Government Warning Footage for schools. It’s not Pete Postlethwaite’s fault, but this character belittles the audience to such a degree you cringe every time he comes onto screen.
Of course there is a seriously powerful message; the film is engineered to make you want to pass the word around. In a perfect world everybody must watch this film and act upon it immediately before it’s too late. Naturally, nobody will really enjoy it, but everyone should see it – seriously.
Together with the educational message there is a liberal dishing out of shame and guilt along side healthy measures of blame, particularly if you live in the developed world. Quite rightly so – the depth and scale of unashamed and revolting corporate corruption is truly shocking. Facts and statistics are brilliantly illustrated, e.g. the immoral and irresponsible actions of Shell Oil in Nigeria and the utter and indiscriminate rape of Africa throughout the ages. The price other people are having to pay for the west’s extravagance and thoughtlessness is really driven home.
All of the above are forgivable, in fact pretty much unavoidable in a film with this subject matter. However, there is very little hope and I think that is a failing. The futility of mankind’s situation corrodes any faith in humanity you may previously have held. Designed to rally people into positive action before it’s too late, it succeeds in casting serious doubt as to whether humanity can even be saved from itself or whether reducing, halting or reversing our carbon emissions is just beyond us.
… Still want to see it? Well you should.
Starring: Pete Postlethwaite. Director: Franny Armstrong
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Tags: Age of Stupid, carbon emissions, Climate Change, Film, Global Warming, Review | Posted in Airport Protests, Climate Change, New Road Protests, Transport
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June 23rd, 2009
Apparently if all the commuters in England with a journey less than five miles went by bike rather than car or bus, the collective saving would be 44,000 tonnes of CO2! That’s the equivalent of emissions produced by heating nearly 17,000 houses and that’s just in the first week!!
Pedal power is big on the environmental agenda for reducing our carbon emissions, but it is also great for your health and your bank balance. Everybody stands to gain from increased participation in cycling, including local communities and society at large. That’s the motivation behind the Critical Mass movement which is sweeping the world and taking the UK by storm.
Critical Mass is an idea and an event, not an organization. Often described as an ‘unorganised coincidence’ it happens when a lot of cyclists happen to be in the same place at the same time and decide to cycle the same way together for a while. The Critical Mass campaign is designed as a celebration of the alternatives to cars, pollution, accidents and the loss of public spaces and freedoms.
Mass bike rides are taking place regularly up and down the country and around the world and most importantly they are all peaceful, safe and fun. There is even the occasional naked bike ride similar to the one held in Toronto on Sunday.
Critical Mass is not just for bikes – skateboards, roller blades, wheelchairs, pogo sticks – in fact any form of non-motorised, non-polluting transport are all very welcome!
Just in case you need any further incentive to get involved
Cycling for thirty minutes most days, combined with a reduced calorie intake, can achieve a weight loss equivalent to the reduction achieved by three weekly aerobics classes.
Cycling provides cardiovascular exercise without putting excess strain on the musculoskeletal system.
Regular exercise such as cycling is an important safeguard against health problems such as heart disease and cancer.
Unsurprisingly, improvement in cycling rates would have an impact on our purse-strings as well as as on our waistlines. In a study commissioned by Cycling England, it was calculated that a 20 per cent increase in cycling by 2015 would save £107 million in reducing premature deaths, £52 million in lowered NHS costs and £87 million by shrinking absences from work.
Promoting a fun, healthy, sustainable alternative to petrol-dependant transport.
Tags: alternative transport, CO2 Emissions, Critical Mass, cycling, health | Posted in Climate Change, Events, Protest Marches, Transport
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