July 15th, 2010
The book, Sustainable Energy-without the hot air by David JC MacKay has brought an insightful look into how everyone can make efforts to use sustainable energy and energy sources.
To read this intuitive and informative book you can go online and read each section or download pages from the contents table.
Many have endorsed and reviewed the book, from scientists, economists and engineers to environmentalists and politicians. Robert Sansom, EDF Energy commented ’ At last a book that comprehensively reveals the true facts about sustainable energy in a form that is both highly readable and entertaining.’
Peter Ainsworth, MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs mentioned ’ “Sustainable Energy-without the hot air” is engagingly written, packed with useful information and refreshingly factual. Those, like, me of a non-technical bent will find the Technical Chapters at the end daunting ; but we don’t have to read them to get the message.’
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Tags: renewable energy sources, Sustainability, Sustainable Energy | Posted in Self sufficiency, Sustainability, Sustainable Energy
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May 27th, 2010
The new buzz word that is being used all over the world is upcycling!
def:// upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value.
Now you would be among the many that will be thinking this is just the same as recycling. It is very similar to recycling but the major difference with upcycling is that no energy has gone into developing the new product from the old one. When recycling paper, plastic, cardboard etc processes are in place to melt, cut and re-make the new products thus using energy. Upcycling products use man-power and time to produce pieces such as artwork, luggage, furniture, useful materials etc.
Several successful businesses have come from being based on upcycling and the huge benefits it offers. Rebagz is an eco-chic handbag company that use great design and sustainability to produce their fabulous products all by upcycling. The ‘Juicy handbag’ (picture) is made from weaving sections of juice cartons and is one of their biggest and most popular sellers. Rebagz is best know for being both eco and human friendly and only re-use materials to make their products.
Resurf, another well established company that is promoting and using upcycling is based in the US and re-uses broken surfboards and turns them into asphalt filer. The Resurf, surfboard waste recycling centres find solutions and homes for the communal waste as an industry.
There is a lot to be said for what one person considers to be junk and useless, to be another persons piece of artwork or furniture.
Tags: energy efficiency, Recycling, Sustainability, upcycling | Posted in Energy Efficient, Recycling, Sustainability
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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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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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