A new £250 million tidal barrier is being proposed to be constructed across the River Clyde which will not only create a flood barrier but would also be able to generate enough renewable energy to power all the homes in Glasgow.
The Green Village News for the ‘Sustainable Development’ Category
Proposed Tidal Barrier Could Provide Renewable Green Energy
Monday, December 28th, 2009Action Group Fights Proposal To Build Eco Home Near Former Asbestos Factory
Saturday, November 14th, 2009
A proposal to build an eco home near to the site of a former asbestos factory is facing continued opposition from a local action group. The proposal to build a three bedroom house on a car park which is situated across the road from the site of Acre Mill where the former Cape Asbestos factory was in operation.
An action group was formed in opposition to the proposed eco home that was proposed by Lyn and Christine Gledhill due to concerns that commencement of building work would disturb asbestos fibres in the ground which could be released into the air and a nearby water course. Mr Gledhill, managing director of Beer Gas Express, commented previously that he was confident there is no risk of asbestos contamination if the proposal to build on the site was granted.
Big Green Home Show Promotes Eco-Renovation and Self-Builds
Thursday, October 22nd, 2009
The National Self Build & Renovation Centre in Swindon will be hosting the Big Green Home Show this weekend, 23rd-25th October. The green event will be the second Big Green Home Show held at the venue and will feature a wide range of activities including seminars, live building demonstrations and a large number of experts on site throughout the weekend.
Whatever your green building needs, from finding an environmentally responsible trades person to help you carry out renovation work in your home, to attending one of the many seminars being delivered over the weekend, there’s plenty to keep you busy. Alternative Build Live will be held to provide on the day demonstrations of green building techniques such as straw bale building and offering visitors the opportunity to have a go at clay plastering. The Build Live! Demonstrations will provide information and guides to installing solar panels, insulation, heat pumps and solar water heating.
Staffordshire University Rewards Staff For Promoting Sustainability
Thursday, October 1st, 2009At the annual ‘celebrating staff success’ event held by Staffordshire University, a new category for this year’s event saw staff being presented with awards for sustainability. The ceremony, which is about recognising the achievements of employees in the University over the past 12 months, included two awards highlighting commitments by members of staff to sustainability within the University, both on-site and in the curriculum, and outside the workplace.
Chrissie Pinner, the Postal Services Manager at the Stoke Campus of the University received the ‘Beyond the Workplace’ award for her commitment to addressing the problem of domestic waste littering the streets in the area around the campus and in the roads and streets in Shelton. Her commitment to this in her own time has led to improvements in the surrounding area which are benefiting the whole local community by not only improving the environment by addressing waste collection problems but have also contributed to a healthier environment for local residents and students as a result.
Brixton Pound Moves Town Closer To ‘Transition Town’ Status
Wednesday, September 16th, 2009
Brixton will be taking a step in the direction of market towns Stroud, Totnes and Lewes with the launch of the Brixton Pound on Thursday 17th September. As the economy is still in the throes of recession, the concept of transition towns is being looked at as a model that could help ease the economic tensions by encouraging communities to become more self-supporting, as well as helping combat the problems of peak oil and climate change added to by transportation of goods from around the world.
It is hoped the launch of the new currency, which will not replace pounds sterling in Brixton but will be available as an alternative for customers, who will be offered their change in Brixton pound notes, will help keep money within the local economy. The currency will be available in £1, £5, £10 and £20 notes and a large number of businesses in the area have bought into the idea, agreeing to accept payment for goods or services in the local currency, either solely in Brixton pounds or in conjunction with sterling.
DECC Appoint David MacKay As Chief Scientific Adviser
Friday, September 4th, 2009
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has appointed David MacKay as chief scientific advisor. The Cambridge university physics professor was chosen by Ed Miliband to advise on matters relating to the Government’s low carbon transition plan.
David MacKay is the author of the straight-talking and critically acclaimed “Sustainable Energy – without the hot air“. The first run of copies published sold out in a matter of weeks and when the book hit the bestsellers list on Amazon, the publisher was struggling to keep up with demand.
Centre For Alternative Technology Introduce UK’s First Micro Grid
Thursday, September 3rd, 2009
The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT), based in Machynlleth, in Wales has pioneered a new way of delivering energy to local communities via the UK’s first micro-grid.
CAT has been working towards solutions for sustainability for the past 35 years and this micro-grid technology is the latest of their developments. The mirco-grid draws its power from renewable energy sources as they are available (i.e when the wind is blowing or the sun shining) or from the national grid when they are not.
British Gas Green Skills Training Centre To Be Built In South Wales Valleys
Saturday, August 1st, 2009
The UK’s first Green Skills Training Centre will be built in Tredegar in the South Wales Valleys later this year according to an announcement from British Gas and the Welsh Assembly Government. The centre will provide training for up to 1300 people a year, including up-skilling existing British Gas employees in renewable energy technologies.
The new green jobs created by the training provided through the Green Skills Training Centre will help the Welsh Assembly Government meet its commitment to reducing carbon emissions through increasing the energy efficiency of 40,000 homes. In addition, the programme aims to reduce fuel poverty experienced by many in one of the worst affected areas of the UK, therefore providing social as well as environmental benefits.
Kevin McCloud Submits Plans For Eco-Housing Development
Saturday, July 25th, 2009Swindon is set to be the location of the UK’s next eco housing development if the plans submitted by presenter of the self-build TV show Grand Designs are approved. The proposal is for a development of sustainable housing, which would be called ‘The Triangle’ to be built on a brownfield site, made up of 2.5 storey terraces which would provide 42 homes.
The properties would include a range of energy efficiency boosting features designed to reduce their energy consumption of water demand, which in turn will reduce the home’s carbon footprints and running costs. These features include rainwater harvesting systems, tertiary glazing and environmentally friendly roofing, with plans to future-proof the properties to enable future fittings of solar PV and solar thermal panels at a later date.
City Of York Council Seeking £6m Funding For Eco Home Sustainable Development
Monday, July 13th, 2009
City of York Council has submitted proposals for sustainable development of the former British Sugar site, currently owned by Associated British Foods. The bid for £60 million of government funding would secure the use of part of the site of the former factory to build 60 eco homes, and would put York on the map as home of one of the most environmentally friendly developments to be built in the next two to three years.
If the proposal is accepted, the complex of eco homes would showcase a number of environmentally friendly features and technologies designed to minimise their carbon footprints and limit the amount of carbon emissions they produce. As well as being built to incorporate high energy and water efficiency standards, the homes would be built from locally sourced and recycled materials, therefore cutting down on transportation costs for building materials and also supporting the local economy, as well as reducing the demand for virgin materials and cutting the amount going to landfill.
