July 1st, 2010
Tis the season of the bicycle! With all the great weather Britain has been having recently it is a perfect time to get on the bike.
With the Bike 2 Work scheme there are now more reasons to embrace your two wheels for healthy and environmental benefits. Through the governments Green Transport Plan, it is possible for everyone to benefit by being able to save up to 50% on brand new bicycles and cycling equipment.
There are benefits for everyone joing the Bike 2 Work scheme. As an employer you can join the scheme to make savings on employers NI contributions (up to 12%, reduce your business carbon footprint and your company will be added to the Green Achiever Business Directory. Your staff will be healthier, fitter, have more energy and your car parks will be less congested. As an employee there are the advantages of better health, becoming fitter, reducing your carbon footprint, saving money and gaining advice and help from selected bike shops.
There are many bike shops all over the country covering the scheme and willing to support everyone wanting to get on their bikes and ride! Whatever your size, ability and budget there is a bike to suit everyone.
Hundreds of thousands of workers all across the country commute to work in some way or another whether it be by their own car, car share, or public transport. By taking part in this new scheme will not only reduce everyone’s personal carbon footprint and save money but will help to reduce the overall carbon footprint of Britain.
The Bike 2 Work scheme website hosts a handy savings calculator that will estimate how much you can save using the scheme and a form to register your interest. Go now to the site to become a Green Achiever and find out more, click HERE
Tags: Bike 2 Work, business carbon footprint, carbon emissions, Carbon Footprint, environmental benefits, green achiever, green transport plan | Posted in Uncategorized
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June 24th, 2010
Team Green Britain is the organisation that has been put together to bring awareness and education to everyone in Britain to inspire further moves towards doing everything possible to reduce Britain’s carbon footprint.
All of this week from Saturday 19th June to Sunday 27th June is Team Green Britain Bike Week. Team Green Britain Bike Week has been brought to the nation to provide awareness of how cycling can be a part of everyone’s lives and will benefit everyone physically for health benefits and environmentally by cutting down on the carbon footprint. Cycling is a healthy, practical and convenient lifestyle choice which can help to look after Britain and eveone individually.
Team Green Britain’s ongoing support has alreadybenefitted many across the nation by providing and funding 13 workshops and publishing cycling guides. You can visit www.bikeweek.org.uk
Team Green Britain have not only produced Bike Week and Green Britain Day but are constantly working towards combining a team that will work together to reduce the carbon footprint, use less energy, live healthier lives, save money and have fun doing it. Everyone has the opportunity to join the team and make a difference.
Join Team Green Britain now by clicking HERE!
Tags: bike week, carbon emissions, Carbon Footprint, cycling, healthy living, Team Green Britain, Team Green Britain Bike Week | Posted in Carbon Footprint, Events, Transport, carbon emissions
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June 14th, 2010
It was been said in a recent set of talks, that Britain could be adding a further 2,500 wind turbines to those that are already planned for the UK.
Chris Huhne, Environment minister, has urged the EU to get tougher on the climate change targets that have been set. The newly appointed Liberal democrat minister, Mr.Huhne has called for a 30% cut in carbon emissions across Europe by the year 2020. This is an additional 10% on top of the already agreed target of 20% decrease in emission by the EU to tackle global warming.
Making the switch over from classic coal, oil and gas power stations would mean increased strain on the UK to change to ‘green’ power. The extra electricity needed to fulfil the new target would have to come primarily from offshore wind farms, adding to the already scheduled 7,000 turbines due to be placed in and around the UK in the next decade.
The extra 10% for Europe to achieve means considerably more for the UK. Britain has already committed to cutting carbon emissions by 34% over the next 10 years. Emissions in Britain are higher and so only 9% of electricity is currently coming from renewable. This means Britain has to do more to help Europe raise its target.
The 30% target would mean Britain cutting carbon emissions by up to 42%. These numbers may seems little and hardly effective but to achieve that new target would mean an extra 10 to 12 gigawatts of green energy or around 2,500 extra wind turbines.
This encouragement to increase targets to help in the battle against global warming is a step in the right direction with the promotion of the 30% increase. While the Friend’s of the Earth campaigners are looking for a bit more “a 40% target would show a real international leadership and fast track the creation of new green jobs and business opportunities” commented Mike Childs, Friend’s of the earth Head of Climate.
More efforts need to be made to look to renewable and sustainable sources of energy and it looks like there is someone speaking the right tunes. The new proposal for the increased carbon emissions target is being put into place; watch this space for further news.
Tags: carbon emissions, gloabl warming | Posted in Carbon Footprint, Climate Change, carbon emissions
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May 31st, 2010
An enjoyable day out sightseeing with environmental and health benefits not to mention it was all free, what more could you ask for?
West Dorset district council (WDDC) are encouraging local people and visitors alike to explore the breath-taking scenery that is on offer by taking to your bicycle and hitting the trialways. The WDDC have created several FREE informative cycle guides availble to all. Some of the guides follow the National cycle networks (NCN) with one in particular covering the spectacular 30 mile ride between Lyme Regis and Dorchester.
Rural West Dorset has so much to offer with exciting exploration and the sightseeing possibilities are endless. But why do it trapped in a car behind glass windows using up fuel and adding to the carbon emmissions? Looking after the countryside is a key part of enjoying it and prolonging its beauty for others, and so the new initiative to promote cycling with these new cycle guides is well on its way to helping look after the environment and peoples health.
These cycle routes and guides are perfect for families, tourists and those wanting to get outdoors and get healthy. The guides are being promoted as a greener and healthier way to visit west Dorset and so there is no better way to experience the Jurassice Coast, picturesqe riverbanks, market towns and quaint villages that are all featured in the guides.
A list of Dorset’s information centres is availble on the Visit Dorset website and PDF files of the cycle guides are available to download by clicking HERE. Five shorter circular routes called the West Dorset Pedal are also availble to download.
So get on your bikes and ride!
Tags: carbon emissions, cycling, environment, Jurassic Coast, national cycle networks, west dorset district council | Posted in Local Councils, Self sufficiency, Transport
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May 24th, 2010
Who doesn’t love to go shopping? I for one am a closet shopping fan and love the excitement of getting home with some new treats, but my thoughts do go to shocking amount of plastic bags, wrapping and packaging I am also carrying around that is just going to get thrown away.
Going deeper than just the plastic bags and packaging are the embedded emissions which is the carbon that goes into producing, making, transporting the product. These embedded emissions are within a large majority of products, invisible to the eye at the till paying for them but something you cant change. However…….
There are many ways I, and many other shopping lovers can be carbon conscious when out buying something nice. 10:10 the group working towards reducing carbon emissions by 10% in 2010 and who have got the backing of the new government have produced a helpful hints and tips guide for those wanting to reduce their carbon-shopping-footprint.
10:10 have five simple rules for energy efficient shopping starting with; 1) Dont Be Cheap, if you buy something cheap you normally end up having to replace it or buy another one. The old adage of ‘you get what you pay for’ applies here too, so choose quality over quantity. 2) 2nd Hand Treasures, a form of recycling, bought and used by someone else can be re-used and loved by another. 3) Buy Efficient, check the energy efficiency label on all products to check it wont drain you dry when plugging it in at home. 4) Think About Wood, when having to buy any wood think of reclaimed wood, as it is carbon-emission friendly and can be better quality than the new stuff. And finally 5) Sit Back and Relax, home delivery options when buying online are the best bet as the overall emissions of the delivery truck and all it is transporting is spread out out among several people while you in your car collecting the new bed is all down to you.
For those of you who would like to know more about their shopping and how far things have to go to get in your basket have a read of How Bad Are Bananas: The Carbon Footprint of Everything written by Mike Berners-Lee. For all up to date news and info on 10:10 and their on-going project go to www.1010global.org
Tags: 10:10, carbon conscious, carbon emissions, Carbon Footprint, embedded emissions, shopping | Posted in Carbon Footprint, Recycling, carbon emissions
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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 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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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 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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October 26th, 2009
Spurred on by the recent success of the Great Climate swoopers? Then next stop Copenhagen…
From 7th to 18th December, a climate summit will be held in Copenhagen, Denmark. This event is billed as the ‘largest ever to be held’ and ‘our last best hope’. Frustrated by the lack of progress Plane Stupid and their cohorts intend to make an appearance and their feelings known!
The intention is to take over the summit on December 16th and have their say, transforming the conference into a ‘Peoples Summit for Climate Justice’.
Since talks began 15 years ago there has been no evidence of a reduction in greenhouse gasses and emissions continue to steadily rise. So more of the same type of promises regurgitating out of Copenhagen simply aren’t going to have any credence – seen and heard it all before and more to the point, they just don’t work!
Environmentalists believe alternative changes should be made, such as:
• No fossil fuels
• Community control of resources
• relocalising food production
• reducing over consumption
• recognising and dealing with ecological and climate debt
• respecting indigenous and forest peoples’ rights
Why are these alternatives so impossible for the summit to consider, when they appear so potentially achievable? It’s time to change the system not the climate!
Tags: carbon emissions, Climate Summit, Climate Swoop, Copenhagen, plane stupid | Posted in Climate Change, Events, News, Protest Marches, carbon emissions
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