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What is this World coming to …
Please take a moment to read this ...:wink:
http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/front
The world is warming up. As we burn up the planet’s coal, oil and gas reserves, and cut down its remaining forests, greenhouse gases are pouring into the atmosphere. The delicate balance of atmospheric gases that sustains life is thickening, trapping more and more heat and irreversibly changing our world.
The causes
For all the technological gloss of the 21st century, the UK is still living in an industrial era, pumping out emissions from coal, oil and gas. Worse, our energy is supplied through a criminally wasteful, centralised energy system; two thirds of all energy generated in UK power stations is lost as waste heat – up the chimney and along transmission lines. But there are clean, affordable and proven solutions for the most polluting sectors: electricity, transport, industry and domestic.
The science
This massive and rapid change to our climate is like nothing humankind has seen before. As such, the science around it has been cautious and careful in reaching consensus over time. But a strong consensus has finally been reached; the scientific community now agrees that climate change is real, it’s caused by human activity and it’s already happening.
The impacts
The 0.6 degree rise we’ve experienced already kills 150,000 people every year. Glaciers, permafrost and sea ice are disappearing. Sea levels are rising, seasons changing and extreme weather becoming more extreme. As temperatures increase further, there will almost inevitably be more flooding, more drought, more disease, more famine and more war, creating hundreds of millions of refugees and causing the destruction of entire ecosystems and species.
How much climate change can we bear?
An average temperature rise of around 1.3 degrees centigrade above pre-industrial levels is already inevitable and will bring with it some terrible impacts worldwide. If that figure hits two degrees, many scientists say that not only will the impacts be much greater, but the probability of feedback mechanisms kicking in will be much higher; climate change could spiral completely out of control. Some studies say we have 10 years or less to tackle emissions if we are to stay below that temperature threshold.
The politics (UK)
So why do we keep burning fossil fuels? The problem isn't a scientific one but a political one. Despite the rhetoric, political cowardice and industry lobbying are preventing meaningful action. New Labour has overseen a rise in overall carbon emissions and is now set to miss its own emissions targets. And if the UK doesn’t deliver at home, how can it put pressure on other governments internationally?
The politics (international)
Carbon emissions don't respect borders and the sad fact is that the world's most vulnerable people are the ones that are suffering most from its impacts. With countries like China and India in the middle of their own industrial revolutions, it's clear we need a global framework and global cooperation to address the problem. The Kyoto Protocol is a crucial first step but far, far more needs to be done.
The nuclear distraction
While the government claims to care about the climate, in practice it has bowed to the demands of big business. The government has fallen for the nuclear industry's spin and decided that the UK needs 10 new nuclear power stations. Nuclear power can't stop climate change or ensure energy security. We need to start reducing emissions within a decade to avoid catastrophic climate change; the first new nuclear power stations won't produce a watt of energy before 2018.
The solutions
The good news is that we know exactly what needs to be done to stop climate change - and the technologies we need already exist. With the right policies at national and local levels, we would be able to deploy them on a large scale.
Clean energy
Two thirds of all energy going into the UK's power stations is lost as waste heat - up the chimney and in the cooling towers. If we captured this waste heat, there would be enough of it to heat every building and business in the UK.
To capture and use this heat, we would need to stop relying on our archaic, centralised energy system and start producing energy in smaller, local combined heat and power (CHP) plants. A number of countries around the world are already doing this; the UK needs to follow their example and undergo an energy revolution. With a decentralised energy system based on renewable technologies, we could double the efficiency of our power stations, slash our carbon emissions and reduce our reliance on foreign gas.
Transport
Transport is responsible for 22 percent of the UK's carbon emissions, and vehicles in the UK are pumping out more greenhouse gases than ever before. At the moment, EU car manufacturers only have a voluntary agreement to reduce the emissions of their cars. To make real progress towards low carbon cars, binding efficiency targets need to be imposed on manufacturers and gas-guzzlers need to be taxed more highly.
Aviation is the fastest growing cause of climate change in the world, and the popularity of short haul flights is still growing. According to the Tyndall Centre, if air traffic is allowed to keep growing at its present rate, then all other sectors will have to reduce their emissions to zero in order to reach the government's climate change targets. The government urgently needs to increase the cost of flying, and to scrap its plans to expand airports across the UK.
Industry
In 2005, the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) was set up to tackle emissions from industry, which accounts for almost a quarter of the UK's carbon emissions, The ETS requires companies to either reduce their emissions or buy carbon credits from other companies that have exceeded their targets.
It's a helpful framework, but the ETS will only lead to lower carbon emissions when its carbon allocations are determined by the science of climate change, rather than by industry. Much more needs to be done to extend its scope and its value.
In the home
While it is crucial to start cutting the wastage at our power stations, that doesn't take the onus off the rest of us. Domestic usage accounts for 15 per cent of the UK's carbon emissions. A proportion of this can be cut out by very simple changes to our lives, like switching our light bulbs to energy efficient bulbs, turning off all appliances when we aren't using them, fitting insulation in the loft, and so on.
But we can go further. Decentralising our energy system enables homes to become power stations. By installing small scale solar or wind generators we can generate our own power; we could even sell our excess power to our neighbours through the national grid.
MY : Malaysia and others accuse rich nations of ‘green imperialism’ They make some good points here... I get the impression a lot of people in Eastern countries don't like the pollution/environment damage that the factories cause but they can't afford to walk away from the foreign investors...
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/6/25/nation/20070625141705&sec=nation
SINGAPORE: Asian business and government leaders accused rich countries of hypocrisy, saying they run polluting industries with cheap labor in China and then blame the country for worsening global warming and climate change.
"This is green imperialism,'' Nor Mohamed Yakcop, Malaysia's Second Finance Minister, told a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum on East Asia, a two-day conference in Singapore.
A Chinese aviation tycoon told the discussion that the West was the original polluter, while an American businessman noted that Asia's energy consumption is relatively disproportionate to its contribution to the world economy.
But all participants agreed that instead of fixing blame, the problem should be solved internationally and with private sector participation.
"Companies that are polluting in China are owned by American, European, Japanese and others. They are benefiting from the cheap labor, from the resources and at the same time accusing China of pollution,'' said Nor Mohamed.
transition towns – peak oil [YT]ntW9wnBEB60[/YT]
[YT]8r17begefKA[/YT]
plenty more?
anyone else interested in the practicalities of how we will live in the next 20 years as cheap energy runs out?
UK : what do you think will happen as we approach "peak oil?" been wondering about this for a few years now..
its clear that oil supplies are now dwindling and being jealously fought over worldwide.. and no matter who "wins" the Iraq war prices may still rise.
In the short term (and maybe as soon as the next 5-10 years) this isn't going to be doomsday or the end of the world - but I could easily forsee tihngs changing a lot in Britain out of sheer necessity
perhaps a combination of sheer market forces and perhaps a bit of Govt intervention/control (rationing/road use controls) will start making it harder to use motor vehicles for "luxury" purposes, and a slimming down of how many consumer goods appear on our shelves.
Even if China and the East can still make the goods, they might not export them as much particularly if there is less demand due to austerity - I expect the ships at Felixstowe and Ipswich would start containing essentials such as food and fuels rather than luxuries..
I'm not sure how British society could go.
I would like to think the remnants of the "wartime" spirit would kick in and communities come together ut I fear it may end up becoming a lot more authoritarian, with stuff like potential curfews (to prevent race riots for instance as there will be a lot of blame put on "immigrants")
There might even be compulsory labour for those who are not currently in work or contributing to society (stuff like cutting down trees at Thetford for construction and fuel, working with the Council to maintain infrastructure etc)
OTOH I feel that (and this may seem surprising) there will be less control on drugs as they will be accepted as a way of "easing the mental pain" - also you may even get more users of recreational substances as they will be tolerated "provided the work gets done", maybe the use of stimulants might even be encouraged as it was in the last war..
Also those involved in the environmental movements who can actually deliver positive results may finally get some respect and support within society...
What do you all think? Has anyone else considered what the future of this country (or your own if you are outside the UK) will be like?
Anybody watch ‘The Great Global Warming Swindell’ On Channel 4 on Thursday 8th? Really interesting documentry that seemed to piss all over the man made, co2 global warming theory, was just wondering on peoples thoughts as it really made me think.. It could of course all be bollox tho, but then who's to say. If nobdy saw it, say and ill post some more about it, ive been bending my mates ears about it all weekend!:wink:
Turn Everything Off!!!! The first of February 2007: Participate in the biggest mobilization of Citizens Against Global Warming!
The Alliance for the Planet [a group of environmental associations] is calling out to all citizens; 5 minutes of electrical rest for the planet.
People all over the world should turn off their lights and electrical appliances on the 1st of February 2007 between, for UK/London 18.55 and 19.00, for New York 1.55 pm and 2.00 pm, for Paris, Bruxelles, Italy etc between 19.55 and 20.00 (all local time).
This is not about saving 5 minutes worth of electricity for that one day, this is about calling on the attention of the media, politicians, and social figures, telling them of the importance of immediate action! 5 minutes of electrical down time for the planet: this does not take long, and costs nothing, and it will show the electoral candidates for 2007 that global warming is an issue that needs to enter the political debate.
Why February 1st? This is the day when the new UN report on global climate changes will come out in Paris. This event affects us all, involves us all, we cannot let the occasion to show how important an issue global warming is to us pass. If we all participate, this action can have real media and political weight.
Please circulate this call to your utmost ability among all of your
networks!12
Home wind turbines are fashionable By Oliver Bullough
LONDON (Reuters) - A mere breath of a breeze disturbs the quiet of autumn in south London and the wind turbine on the gable of Donnachadh McCarthy's home turns lazily.
The morning sun casts shadows from solar panels onto the walls of the house and filters through the windows into his living room.
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"I'm in surplus. I am now providing money to the grid," he said with a grin, gesturing at a red light winking on the wall that marks the progress of his domestic power station.
"I have exported 20 percent more electricity than I've imported this year ... the average carbon footprint is 8.5 tonnes in the EU, whereas mine is less than half a tonne."
McCarthy has long tried to stay at the forefront of green power generation.
Last November, he made a small media splash as the first Londoner to gain permission to put a turbine on a house that already boasted an array of renewable energy devices.
And his direct action to avoid using fossil fuels -- the main cause of climate change -- is beginning to look not so much eccentric as ahead of its time.
This year, David Cameron, leader of the Conservative Party, said he would add a turbine and solar panels to his west London home, giving "microgeneration" mass media exposure.
Sure enough, domestic turbines promptly gained the accolade of a scare story in the tabloid press.
"FORCED"
"Homeowners could be forced by Labour to put up 3,000 pound wind turbines on their roofs," warned the Daily Mail in an article about the Labour party's energy policy.
The government is so far showing no signs of making turbines compulsory but earlier this year it launched an initiative that will devote 80 million pounds over the next three years to develop and promote microgeneration.
The Energy Saving Trust, funded by the government and the private sector, says green power generation could supply more than one third of energy needs within a few decades.
About 80,000 homes in Britain are producing electricity with small renewable power generation units such as turbines.
Now turbines have been embraced by mainstream retailers like B&Q, which sells them for 1,500 pounds.
"(They) can be easily attached to your home and can save around a third of your electricity bill. And with energy high on the government's agenda, grants are available to cover up to 30 percent of the installed cost," the store gushed in a statement launching turbines last month.
The Energy Saving Trust, a government agency that coordinates attempts to boost renewable energy production and increase efficiency, estimates domestic wind turbines could supply 4 percent of Britain's electricity requirement and reduce domestic carbon dioxide emissions by 6 percent.
Solar panels could, if the price were reduced, also supply 4 percent of electricity needs and reduce domestic emissions by up to 3 percent, it said in a report last year.
"I have no doubt that microgeneration has the potential to be a major element of the energy mix," said Mark Lazarowicz, a member of parliament who sponsored a law passed this year aimed at simplifying the process.
"Speaking to some of the producers, they are saying they are getting more enquiries now than they can cope with. They are having to increase production to meet demand, and this will bring prices down, which will in turn increase demand."
Small turbine producers have sprung up in Britain.
One manufacturer, Futurenergy, sells domestic wind turbines for 695 pounds on its website (www.futurenergy.co.uk) and began shipping them four months ago. They now sell about 100 a week to customers all over the world, said director Peter Osborn.
FASHIONABLE
His turbines are bigger than most domestic units and more suited to the windy north and west of Britain than fashionable west London.
But he said the market was huge for farms and rural users. Cameron and other Londoners could buy smaller models.
"I am very optimistic. Every day a new door opens, and they will continue to open," said Osborn.
Other retailers are similarly optimistic, although McCarthy warns that alternative energy will only go so far in Britain's battle to restrict the emissions causing global warming.
"Renewables are not the answer. This is about a range of things that come together. Mainly it's about reducing your need for energy," he said, as he showed off the array of electronics linking his devices to the national power grid.
"This is 40 percent lifestyle, 40 percent efficiency and renewables can only help with the rest. When you see how much some people waste, you need to tell them to start there."
http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?type=reutersEdge&storyID=2006-10-11T083604Z_01_NOA127054_RTRUKOC_0_BRITAIN-TURBINES.xml&pageNumber=2&imageid=&cap=&sz=13&WTModLoc=NewsArt-C1-ArticlePage2
No Such Thing As Global Warming it's true, there is no such thing, it's all about the change in the earths axis
yes the till of the earth effects climate change !12
UK’s FIRST BIODIESEL GARAGE ABOUT TO OPEN IN MANCHESTER! Important and wonderful news this, as close friends of mine are just abt to open the first dedicated biodiesel garage in the country, in Manchester!
Basically, the garage will offer two types of fuel. The first B5, is 5% biodiesel mixed with 95% diesel. This will be available to anyone, and can be used in any diesel engine without modification, as the fuel meets the same specification as diesel, and does not have any implications for warranties etc.
The second fuel will be 100% biodiesel, made to the highest european standards. To get this fuel from the pump, you will need to become a member of the Coop. This is a simple process, costing £10, and allows Mcr Biodiesel Coop to ensure you have received the right advice before using the pure biodiesel. They will recommend the best blend to run on, and by having both B5 and B100 pumps, and mixing the two, any blend can be provided - for the first time in the UK!! NO CONVERSION IS REQUIRED TO RUN ON ANY BLEND OF BIODIESEL!! WORKS WITH ANY DIESEL ENGINE!
Manchester Biodiesel Coop is a not for profit company, working desperately hard to bring you this instant alternative to fossil fueled motoring. Using biodiesel can reduce full lifecycle carbon doixide emmissions, compared with normal diesel, by 50-80%, and local air quality is improved too. It is a biodegradeable and non toxic fuel, reduces wear on your engine, and brings a wonderful smell of chips to your driving experience. All taxes have been paid, and it is fully legal. Prices will be very competitive with normal garages, with the pure biodiesel cheaper than the B5.
The garage will be called Green Gold Biodiesel, and will open near the centre of Mcr just before Christmas.
IF YOU LIVE IN THE NORTHWEST, YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!! PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, COLLEAGUES AND ANYONE WITH A DIESEL VEHICLE!! THESE GUYS NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
WILL POST MORE CONTACT DETAILS WHEN AVAILABLE, BUT ALL INTERESTED FOLK ARE ASKED TO EMAIL NOW TO: manchesterbiodiesel@yahoo.co.uk
*COMPOST CORNER*! David Bellamy starts talking shite… sad to hear this (taken from George Monbiots site at http://www.monbiot.com/archives/2005/04/26/a-different-kind-of-revolution/)
David Bellamy is now the country’s foremost climate change denier. (He was at it again last week, claiming, in a letter to New Scientist, that the World Glacier Monitoring Service says 89% of the world’s glaciers are growing. (4) Its most recent report shows that 82 of the 88 surveyed in 2003 are shrinking(5)).
veggie-fuel I can't seem to find much UK sites about this. So wake up guys, get your generators and vans running on plant-oil and leave the smell of fries behind you in stead of destruction ; )
http://www.folkecenter.dk/plant-oil/plant-oil_en.htm
http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x?a=frm&s=447609751&f=159605551
If anyone do knows a uk site, please let me know!! For once the germans are doing way better than the english. Thousands of cars/vans/tracktors already running on plant-oil overthere.
http://www.fmso.de/
http://www.bv-pflanzenoele.de/
