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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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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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 16th, 2009
This charity was set up last year by 3 Cambridge University students; Lynn Morris, Tim Bromfield and Will Lorimer. As the name ‘Atlantic Rising’ suggests their area of concern is the rising levels of the Atlantic Ocean and the potentially devastating repercussions of this.
In the next 100 years it is predicted that the Ocean will rise by 1.5m, taking with it unique landscapes, communities and reshaping our geography forever.
The trio believe that education is the key, particularly that of children. To this end they are embarking on a trip; the vision of which is to follow the 1m contour line around the edge of the Atlantic which is most likely to be affected. Their intention is to build educational links between places as far apart as the Scottish Isles, West Africa, Guyana and Canada.
Clearly some of these areas will suffer little or no affect whereas some will be devastated by the rising sea level – if these children communicate with each other it will, raise awareness of global climate change and hopefully teach our children the importance of helping and protecting the environment.
Tags: Atlanic Ocean, Atlantic Rising, children, education, environment, Global Warming | Posted in Climate Change, education, environment, rising sea levels
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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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September 28th, 2009
Following recent media coverage, many of us are now aware that the bee population is diminishing at an alarming rate.
We need our bees! The pollination of our plants is a crucial part of our environment, without this service UK agriculture will undoubtedly suffer. In fact there is a figure that represents the financial worth of these insects – £12.4 billion a year!
The cause of the problem is a nicotine based pesticide called neonicotinoid. It is seed/soil based chemical, it is coated rather than sprayed and does indeed serve its purpose. However, once the bees, when going about their daily business, come into contact with it the problems start.
Neonicotinoid does not actually kill the bees, which is why its use is justified, it stresses them to such a degree that it effects their reproduction and so eventually their colonies start collapse.
Although this synthetic pesticide is not targeted at the bee, its ongoing damage is apparent. Should that not be enough reason to start looking for an alternative?
Tags: bee population, Bees, eco-system, environment, neonicotinoid, nicotine, pesticide, UK bee colonies | Posted in Wildlife, environment
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September 22nd, 2009
Our population is increasing and our death rate decreasing, can the country cope? Britain’s birth-rate is an environmental disaster waiting to happen, warns The Optimum Population Trust. They believe that the government should follow the lead of China and Iran and encourage families to restrict themselves to two children or less.
‘Each new UK birth, through the inevitable resource consumption and pollution that UK affluence generates, is responsible for about 160 times as much climate-related environmental damage as a new birth in Ethiopia, or 35 times as much as a new birth in Bangladesh,’ says the report. ‘A voluntary stop-at-two guideline should be adopted for couples in the UK who want to adopt greener lifestyles. It would aim to set an example.’
It is an undenialable truth that the UK population has quadrupled since the 1970’s, and growth at this rate is going have a huge impact on housing, energy and power supplies, reservoirs, schools, hospitals, transport, shops, waste disposal, prisons – the waste and emissions from these being potentially catastrophic!
Human rights, freedom of choice, democracy – has anyone the right to dictate the size of our families? But what is a sustainable level and at what point if any, should population growth stop or be controlled due to environmental factors?
Tags: birth rate, environment, ethical debate, government, population, Sustainability | Posted in Climate Change, Sustainability, environment
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September 18th, 2009
Thursday 20th August 2009 saw Bournemouth and Poole attempt a ‘Fantastic Fireworks’ event to break the world record for setting off the largest number of fireworks simultaneously. At 9.30pm off the coast of Sandbanks 110,000 fireworks were ignited in less than 60 seconds. The record was indeed broken, but the display proved to be a bitter disappointment for the crowds as they one huge explosion was over in seconds and the beauty and spectacle was completely lost.
To make matters worse it now appears that the environmental effects of the event have been considerably detrimental as hundreds of rockets, comprising of plastic pellets and wooden sticks, continue to wash ashore.
The organisers had implied that the pellets would be made of biodegradable cardboard, but in fact they were plastic. Conservationists at Hengistbury Head picked up 600 of these pellets in one hour! At least the ones that wash ashore can be collected and disposed of; unfortunately the others will have floated out to sea posing a risk to marine life.
Plastic waste has always caused a problem on UK beaches as it never completely degrades and research has shown that small marine animals ingest tiny pieces of plastic and these toxins are passed up the food chain.
All of this has to beg the question: ‘was it really worth it?’
Tags: environment, fireworks, marine life, plastic waste | Posted in Events, Wildlife
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