Blog

Can you be an environmentalist—and fly?

Anna Guyer | 20.07.10

The writer and documentary filmmaker Pamela Nowicka recently wrote on flying and the impact that it has - and it got me thinking: how can we justify flying when we begin to understand the impact it has? Pamela wrote:

"I researched flying and its climate change impacts for my just completed half hour documentary, 'Climate Change? No Thanks'.

Average carbon footprint of a person in the UK is 10 tonnes. A long haul fight emits approx 1.2 tonnes of climate change (CC) gases per person. The CC impact of this is about three times as much as CO2 alone because of the altitude and mixture of gases released. See also in George Monbiot's 'Heat'. Flying is of concern as it is one of the fastest growing CC sectors.

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THE FUTURE OF ENERGY IN BRITAIN – MEET TARGETS BY 2050

Sally Hill | 30.07.10

Launched by the DECC, the 2050 Pathways Analysis report illustrates six possible energy mixes to achieve secure and affordable energy supplies in the UK while still hitting the 2050 target of reducing emissions by 80 per cent on 1990 levels.

It is the government’s first comprehensive, long-term look at the UK’s energy supply and demand sectors and greenhouse gas emissions to 2050. The report tries to illustrate some of the energy choices and trade-offs to be made over the next 40 years.

2050 Pathways Calculator Tool

This is an online tool that allows users to explore different combinations of levels of change across the energy sectors to create pathways which successfully achieve an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, while ensuring that energy supply meets demand.

The Calculator was created under the supervision / direction of David Mackay, chief scientific adviser at DECC. A description, in the words of Adam Vaughan:

"You get to play with two sets of sliders. One set affects energy consumption such as temperature within buildings, number of electric cars and so on. The other controls energy generation - you can choose how many wind turbines you want, go for nuclear, invest in bio-energy and ramp up solar. In other words, it's rather like the Guardian's very own "national carbon calculator", which we launched in April."

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Eco Hero: Debra Patterson

Sally Hill | 18.11.10

Debra has worked at The Savoy for thirteen years. For most of that time, she was PA to the General Manager.

Passionate about sustainable and environmental issues, she also devoted herself to leading The Savoy’s green agenda, becoming its green ambassador.

During the recent restoration of The Savoy, Debra has spent a growing amount of time concentrating on her environmental responsibilities.

Green writer Anna Shepard gets her take on the issues. -- ed.

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green, eco hero, anna shepard, carbon, hotels, savoy, hospitality