Blog

WEEKLY NEWS ROUND UP

Greta Jonyniate | 30.09.11

A regulatory loophole allowing renewable energy developers to receive higher subsidy payments for capacity added to installations after feed-in tariff incentives were cut in August will be closed from next month. A number of solar developers had rushed to complete plants before feed-in payments were cut on 1 August, allowing them to take advantage of the higher tariffs for both their commissioned facility and any future extension on the same site. Read the full article HERE

Fracking is a disaster! The world-famous hot springs of the city of Bath may be threatened by fracking, the controversial technique for exploiting underground supplies of shale gas, the Government was told this week. "There is great concern that the process of fracking will result in the water courses leading to the natural hot springs being contaminated with pollutants from this process, or for the waters to adopt a different direction of travel through new fractures in the underlying rocks," said Bath and North East Somerset council leader, Paul Crossley. Read the full article HERE

The Soil Association is one of a coalition of campaigning bodies fighting against plans for a vast industrial pig farm in Derbyshire. Covering 28 hectares of land, the mega factory farm will house 2,500 sows and 20,000 piglets in vast indoor sheds. The planning application, currently before Derbyshire County Council, has prompted big worries about the impact of such a vast industrial-scale farming project on human health, animal welfare, the environment and the local community. Read the full article HERE

Great news! Goldman Sachs, Google and LG invest in renewable energy. India's burgeoning renewable energy market was underlined this week after investment bank Goldman Sachs announced that it is to shell out $200m to acquire a majority stake in ReNew Wind Power Pvt. Google will spend $75 million to finance residential solar installations, raising its total investment in the clean energy sector to more than $850 million. South Korean conglomerate LG has said it will invest 8 trillion won ($6.8 billion) by 2015 in a ‘Green New Business’ strategy.

The most clicky story of the week:

19-Year-Old Improves Solar Power Capacity by 40%
The idea is such a simple one: rotate solar panels to follow the sun throughout the day so they capture the most of the sun's energy as possible.
(TreeHugger)

Some other links we loved this week:

Discussion round up: sustainability in the fashion business
Our live discussion looked at where the industry has got to and what comes next?
(The Guardian)

New studies support benefits of organic farming
Can a world with a growing, increasingly industrialized population be fed by organic farming?
(Greenfudge.org)
‎
Consumers are taking greater responsibility for food waste
The majority of British consumers feel personally responsible for any food that they waste, but nearly a third believe the food industry should also be accountable, according to new research.
(Edie)

10 Trendy eco friendly dresses
Recycled fashion doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort, style and sophistication.
(Ecofriend)

How to recycle a 747 jet
A Santa Monica architect decided to use an entire 747 jet to build a client’s home…and his client agreed.
(Smart Planet)
 

Weekly Greenhouse Updates | Share + | Comment