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 19th, 2009
Woodland burials are now being hailed as the ‘green’ way forward, providing a final resting place in a leafy hillside or meadow rather than a crowded, unfeeling municipal cemetery.
Traditional cemeteries are hostile, overflowing, with high maintenance costs, not to mention the amount of land they utilise. The Manor Road Cemetery in London for example, covers an 8 mile area and is renowned for being littered with broken and vandalised gravestones.
Crematoriums were once believed to be a more positive solution, but consider the huge amount of wood that is burnt and the resulting emissions. Approximately 437,000 wooden coffins are burnt in the UK each year, which requires massive quantities of natural gas. Clearly this process can no longer be considered green.
In contrast to this, the woodland burial allows both burial shrouds and coffins including the eco-friendly options of cardboard, wicker or bamboo plus graves are often marked only by a tree or simple plaque. They offer a changing landscape, seasonal and evolving over time. Consideration is given to type of trees planted such as ash, beech and horse chestnut, wildlife is encouraged and grass is left to grow therefore protecting the natural habitat.
‘Natural’, ‘green’ and ‘woodland’ burials are believed to be the fastest growing environmental movement in Britain today and is supported by the Environment Agency, Agenda 21, Friends of the Earth and the Natural Death Centre.
Tags: Agenda 21, Environment Agency, Friends of the Earth, Natural Death Centre, Woodland Burials. Green | Posted in Wildlife, environment
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October 20th, 2009
Friends of the Earth have recently secured commitment from Harrogate Council to reduce their carbon emissions by 40% by 2020 and an 80% cut by 2050. This is undoubtedly a huge victory and in-line with FOE’s ‘Get Serious about CO2’ campaign.
The council’s plans are detailed in a 12 page ‘Climate Change Strategy’ document, which explains the lengths they are prepared to go to, to achieve their aim. Their proposals to reduce emissions include looking not only at the councils own use, but that of the community as a whole. Areas of concern are as follows; domestic/workplace energy consumption, use of fuel, public transport issues, sustainable procurement principles, energy conscious building development and environmental awareness education, to name but a few.
If Harrogate Council are prepared to adopt these strategies, shouldn’t other councils now follow suit?
Tags: carbon emissions, Climate Change Strategy, Friends of the Earth, Get Serious Abou CO2 Campaign, Harrogate Council | Posted in Climate Change, Life Change, Local Councils, carbon emissions
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