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Tag: Green News

GREENHOUSE WEEKLY ROUNDUP

Greta Jonyniate | 26.08.11

A recent Chinese study suggesting that solar power could achieve grid parity by 2015 has provoked calls in the UK for the government to bolster its own support for the renewable energy technology. Howard Johns, chairman of the UK's Solar Trade Association (STA), said the report showed solar power "is not a technology anyone can afford to ignore" and he urged the government to boost its backing for solar. Read the full article on Business Green website Report: Chinese solar power could reach grid parity by 2015

Great news, according to the annual Farmer Confidence Survey, 51% of farmers in England and Wales have started to feel more confident about the future of the industry. The report also highlights that one in five businesses have seen an increase in their profits. Read the full article Growing Optimism about farming’s future on the Farmers Weekly website.

Finally, the London School of Economics (LSE) revealed that the recent boom in the number of people cycling is worth around £3bn to the national economy. The report also predicts that if the current cycling levels would increase by a further 20 per cent by 2015, then this could save the economy an additional £440m; £207m through reduced traffic congestion, £71m due to lower pollution levels, £107m by reducing premature deaths and £52m in NHS savings. Read the full article HERE

The most clicky story of the week:

5 Reasons Why Going Solar is About More Than Just Money
Whether it's the moral case for embracing renewables, or the way that solar panels change your relationship to energy, we've heard many an argument for why Return On Investment (ROI) is not the be-all-and-end-all for deciding when to go solar.
(TreeHugger)

Some other links we loved this week:

Planet Earth is home to 8.7 million species, scientists estimate
Latest bid to count and catalogue the living world is billed as the most accurate yet, but only a tiny proportion is known to science
(The Guardian)

The young activist’s guide to building a green movement
Sharon J. Smith’s book acts as an inspirational guide for the youth of today to taking environmental matters into their own hands
(The Ecologist)

Best eco friendly chandeliers for a green ambience
In today’s times, when resources are becoming scarce and where each attempt in going into preserving the Earth for our future generations, people from all walks of life are looking at prospects of achieving work the ‘green’ way.
( Ecofriend)

Back to Shool: 5 Universities Lead For Sustainable Fashion Studies
As the lazy days of summer end, a generation of aspiring fashion designers is heading to school to design the clothing of the future.
( EcoSalon)

Sustainable Packaging Goes Beyond Size
When you buy a product, your decision drives a series of environmental impacts. Imagine the benefits if everyone considered the impact of packaging as part of their buying decisions, benefits measured in the billions of pounds of packaging manufactured, shipped and disposed of each year.
( TreeHugger)

7 eco-friendly ways to keep your home safe while you're traveling
These tips will allow you to stay focused on enjoying the trip, and know that your abode will be A-OK when you return.
(All MNN Content)

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GREENHOUSE WEEKLY ROUNDUP

Greta Jonyniate | 02.09.11

There’s been some great news for the new generation of engineering leaders. The government has announced a £6.5m investment in boosting engineering skills for the renewable energy industry, as the UK gears up for an unprecedented expansion of offshore wind and marine energy. Read the full article here: Renewable energy skills get £6.5m boost

On Tuesday, the Environment Agency published a list of the 10 most improved rivers in England and Wales, which are now healthier than they have been for decades. Ian Barker, head of land and water at the Environment Agency, said: "Work that we have done with farmers, businesses and water companies to reduce the amount of water taken from rivers, minimise pollution and improve water quality is really paying off. Otters, salmon and other wildlife are returning for the first time since the industrial revolution." Read the full article here: Rivers the healthiest in a generation due to stricter pollution controls

And finally – According to new research published by the International Energy Agency (IEA), solar energy could produce the bulk of the world’s power by 2060. However, whilst this is good news on a global basis, the Solar Trade Association believes the UK is at risk of falling behind. Howard Johns, Chairman of the Association said, “The news that the International Energy Agency anticipate solar - both PV and thermal - can become the world's major source of energy is welcomed by the STA.” Read the full article here: Solar to produce lion’s share of world’s energy in just 50 years

We think that more companies should follow Good Energy’s lead, who recently signed power purchase agreements with more than 30 solar facilities across the country. It now expects the electricity generated by these developments to make up 33 per cent of its mix over a typical year. Juliet Davenport, company founder and chief executive, said the company's move proved solar was a viable option in the UK and would also help stabilise its future energy prices, which, in contrast to the Big Six electricity suppliers, will remain unchanged until 2012. Read the full article Good Energy ups solar stake on the Business Green website

The most clicky story of the week:

Solar to produce lion’s share of world’s energy in just 50 years
According to new research published by the International Energy Agency (IEA) solar could produce the bulk of the world’s power by 2060.
(Solar Power Portal)

Some other links we loved this week:

How e-bikes got sexy
Take a high-end mountain bike and attach a powerful electric motor. Is this the future of e-bikes?
(The Guardian)

How dentists are saving Borneo's rainforest
Dentists are offering free treatment to patients who oppose illegal logging. Stanley Johnson visits an award-winning clinic to find out more.
(The Independent)

Over a third of UK farmers keen on renewables investment
Two in every five UK farmers are expecting to invest in renewable energy and are targeting average annual returns of £25,000 in reduced energy bills and new income.
(Business Green)

Most important foods to buy organic
If you would like to "go green" and buy all organic foods, it may be that your aspirations are bigger than your budget. Here are 15 foods that are definitely worth buying organic.
( Earth Times)

10 Eco Friendly Accessories for a Greener Offices
You maintain green habits at home, but are you as conscientious in the office? We’ve found 10 great accessories that will help you stay eco-friendly even when you hit your workplace
(Mashable)

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GREENHOUSE WEEKLY ROUNDUP

Greta Jonyniate | 09.09.11

Some more sunny news for the solar industry - according to the article published on Business Green this week, the electricity generated by solar panels could cost the same to produce as conventionally created power by as early as 2013 in some European countries. That is the conclusion of a study done by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA), which analysed markets in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, concluding that full cost parity between solar power and the cheapest form of fossil fuel will be delivered by 2020 with some regions reaching the milestone far sooner. You can read the full article here: Industry: Solar electricity to undercut coal in parts of Europe by 2013

Great news for Scotland which has surpassed England, Wales and Northern Ireland at cutting greenhouse gas emissions, according to new statistics that show the country has slashed emissions by almost a third since 1990. Scotland made significant progress cutting carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 27.3% against 1990 levels, well above the 19.7% decrease achieved by the UK in total. You can read the full article here: Scotland leads race to cut UK emissions

Germany is also leading the way in sustainability development the country now produces 20.8% of its electricity from renewable sources. That's an increase of 15 percentage points since 2000, with an increase of 2.5 percentage points in the last year alone. Their experience shows what political will and appropriate policy can do to promote clean energy - how we generate our electricity is a choice and we can choose not to pollute. Read the full article here: 20% Of Germany's Electricity Now Comes From Renewable Energy

Finally, The European Union's highest court on Tuesday ruled that honey which contains trace amounts of pollen from genetically modified (GM) corn must be labelled as GM produce and undergo full safety authorisation before it can be sold as food. You can read the full article here: EU bans GM-contaminated honey from general sale

The most clicky story of the week:

Organic food producers predict sales boom
Organic food producers are predictinga change of fortunes after three years of tumbling sales.
(Financial Times)

Some other links we loved this week:

10 creative green ads providing a green message
The list of the most wonderfully displayed green messages.
(Ecofriend)

8 Ways to Save Energy While Working from Home
Think lists of how to save energy is so 2007? Well, with more and more people working from home, we think it's time to dust off a few trusty tricks for curbing electricity consumption without curbing productivity.
(TreeHugger)

Organic Month: Why buying organic still matters
The Government's Climate Change act has committed Britain to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to an 80% reduction by 2050, with the aim of a 34% cut by 2030.
(Hippyshopper)

Top 10...eco design for home
Green design doesn't have to mean scrimping on aesthetics; as George Blacksell discovered, combining style with sustainability is easily achieved
(The Ecologist)