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Weekly Greenhouse Round-Up

Sally Hill | 23.07.10

David Cameron pledged to make the coalition the 'greenest government ever' but the continued announcements of green spending cuts is turning the idea into a joke.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change has seen £34 million cut from its low-carbon technology programme. And as of this week the cuts include the axing of the Sustainable Development Commission, a sustainability watchdog.

This was an economically irresponsible decision. The closure of the SDC will save the government around £3m a year. George Monbiot pointed out today that the government's modest energy, waste and water reductions as a result of green progress have so far cut their bills by £60m to £70m. He rightly adds that the potential to make such savings in public bodies such as the NHS and the school system is a very expensive lost opportunity.

The most glaring disappointment is the new government's attitude towards sustainable development. There is such an opportunity to make the recovery and the new economy based on green infrastructure, efficiency, jobs, industry and innovation. Driving economic growth alongside environmental protection.

Our friend and Eco Hero Joanna Yarrow this week tweeted: 'Which planet are they saving pennies for exactly?' Does the decision make sense to you?

Here are the links we loved this week:

'UK Government Axes Sustainability Watchdog'
The closure of the Sustainable Development Commission was announced this week.
(The Guardian)

'How Scrapping the SDC to Save Money Will Cost the Taxpayer a Fortune'
Closure because of necessary spending cuts but what is the real and future cost?
(The Guardian)

'10 Ways Vegetarianism Can Help Save the Planet'
John Vidal examines the vast amounts of land, water and fuel that goes into the meat in our diets.
(The Guardian)

'Massive New Wind Project Moves the Ball in California'
Huge wind initiative has California on track to obtain 33% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.
(Treehugger)

'Can You Be An Environmentalist - and Fly?'
Knowledge about the environmental impact of flying presents environmentalists with a serious conundrum.
(Greenhouse)

'The 6 Least Green Types of Packaging'
Which types of packaging are the biggest nightmare for the environment and how to find alternatives.
(The Daily Green)

'Google Energy's Big Green Power Purchase'
Google backs wind energy with a 20 year investment.
(The Guardian)

'Big Ideas: 29 Authors Look at the Spirituality of Being Green'
The Greenhouse blog reviews a newly released book called 'GreenSpirit'.
(Greenhouse)

''Localwashing' in Pictures - Bogus Marketing at its Finest'
'Local' products are increasingly sought after, but marketers are onto it and telling fibs about where food comes from.
(Grist)

Barclay's Cycle Hire
Registration now open for the London bike hire scheme

Weekly Greenhouse Updates | Share +
george monbiot, coalition, cuts, david cameron, sustainable development commission