The Green Village News for March, 2009

Cricketer Shows Support for India’s Endangered Tigers

Sunday, March 22nd, 2009

Sachin Tendulkar, who has been dubbed as one of the best cricketers the game has ever seen dedicated his latest performance to conservation of India’s tigers, later stating that,

“This majestic species is a symbol of India’s rich and diverse wildlife heritage. It is in our best interests to ensure that this magnificent animal is not wiped out.”

Their numbers have been, and continue to be, devastated by the trade in tiger body parts, with demand being especially high in China. Their hunger for tiger products has made the tiger worth more dead than as they should be, alive and majestically walking the planet.

Numbers of tigers in India have plumetted largely due to poaching, old age, illness and poisoning, and in-fighting has also seen its casualties. Added to this however, it is believed that humans are contributing more than just through poaching. Destruction of the animal’s natural habitat is leaving tigers with even more to contend with. In 2006, there were just 1141 tigers left in India, and with the equivalent of one tiger each month being killed, that number is extremely likely to be much lower now.

We need as many people as possible to get behind endangered species such as these tigers to help secure their future and take action to stop the poaching continuing at its current rate. Laws have already been passed to attempt to reduce the problem, and goods are confiscated, but by this time, another animal has already died. Action needs to be taken to stop the animals being slaughtered in the first place.

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Posted in Conservation and Wildlife, Green Planet | No Comments

Lack of Government Funding Could Lead to Crisis for Renewable Energy

Saturday, March 21st, 2009

Following the shocker from Shell last week that they will no longer be investing in renewable energy technologies, experts are now warning that the future could be far from green for Britain’s carbon emissions targets if the government doesn’t make a serious financial commitment, and soon.

John Constable, head of policy at REF (the Renewable Energy Foundation), voiced concerns last year that he didn’t think the government was being realistic about what could be achieved, and warned at the time that there had been too much “hype” around renewable energy projects. One of the main problems that has being picked out Andrew Mill, a member of the government’s Renewable Energy Board, is the lack of definitive information about the true state of the renewable energy company’s finances. He warns that because the initiatives are seeking funding and investment, they are not going to want to draw attention to any problems they may be facing as this would damage their chances of financial help.

The current economic downturn is also being blamed for its part in the potential problems facing renewables companies. Because of the drying up in funds available for borrowing, companies are not even able to turn to the banks for a boost. And this comes following the release of Age of Stupid to a number of independent cinemas across the UK, which has inspired thousands of viewers at its premiere last week alone. At a time where the issues of climate change, carbon emissions and reducing environmental impact are all high on (most) people’s agendas, let’s hope the government can be relied upon to do what it takes to keep Britain on track for a greener, renewable future, and not take the easy way out by approving plans for the proposed Kingsnorth Coal Power Station in Kent.

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Posted in Energy and Resources, Environmental Impact, Environmental Politics, Green Planet | 1 Comment

Compost Sales Higher Than Expected Ahead Of Growing Boom

Friday, March 20th, 2009

Garden centres throughout the country are struggling to keep up with the demand of consumers wanting peat and other compost products as the grow-your-own bug kicks in. The recession has led to garden centres buying in less of the products, forcing them to re-stock as soon as possible.

The continuing good weather has brought out customers in their droves, as they prepare to grow more of their own food this year. With campaigns such as ‘Dig In’ run by the BBC, demand is only likely to increase.

This can only be a good sign; if more people are growing their own food, it will put less pressure on agriculture and transport and will reduce the amount of food imported into the UK. Not only that but it sends a clear message to government that more must be done to help people who want to grow their own food.

If you want learn more about growing your own, look out for articles within the the grow your own section.

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Posted in Food and Farming, Grow Your Own | 1 Comment

Shell Shock As Leading Oil Company Gives Up On The Environment

Thursday, March 19th, 2009

A recent press release published by Shell stated that renewables would no longer receive investment from the oil giant and that, instead, the company would focus solely on oil, gas and bio-fuels. The press release went on to say that renewables could not compete with other opportunities in their portfolio.

Shell could be shooting itself in the foot by not investing in renewables for the future of energy production. It is well known that Esso tried to keep climate change low on the government agenda, but some of Shell’s other competitors, such as BP are investing more aggressively in the renewables market, helping to secure the future of the world’s energy.

Between 1996-2006, Shell is said to have invested $1.25 billion into renewable energy schemes, much of which was wind power. To see that figure drop to zero is a huge blow to the future of energy. As Shell will no longer be spending this money in the wind, solar and hydro-electric sectors, the company will likely be focusing on Canadian tar sands as a source of future oil. This would be a devastating blow for the environment as it is one of the most polluting forms of fossil fuel and requires huge amounts of energy to extract and purify.

It seems that for all Shell has done to try and convince the public that they are not just an oil company but an ‘energy’ company, the money is much more important to them.

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Posted in Companies and Organisations, Environmental Impact, Green Planet | 1 Comment

Will Anybody Come to the Rescue of the Bishops Castle Eco-Village?

Wednesday, March 18th, 2009

The Eco-Village near Bishops Castle in Shropshire was made famous by its pledges to create a community of 40 houses with energy efficient designs and low carbon running costs, but now residents are up in arms as Living Villages, the company responsible for building the development has gone into administration.

The eco-homes on the estate sport solar panels for heating water, and employ heat recovery systems, where heat is extracted from moist, warm air in the bathrooms and kitchens of the houses and is used to heat fresh air brought in from outside to warm the houses. In addition, homes are built with high levels of insulation, using draught proof doubled glazed windows from Scandinavia, and are positioned facing the sun to take advantage of natural light and heat from the sun.

Although the eco-village has received a lot of positive attention, being nominated for awards and hailed for their green entrepreneurship, The Wintles has also received its share of criticism from people saying that it is merely a playground for the rich. Whether this is true or not, it seems that for the time being, it is the end of the road for the development, where currently half built houses stand glumly waiting for someone to finish building them. Nobody ever said that building sustainably came cheap, but for people who have put down deposits on their dream home to have no sign of recovering their money, the cost is obvious. Let’s hope that somebody can come to the rescue of The Whittles and bring a happy ending to the story of the Bishops Castle eco-village.

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Posted in Eco Home, Green Living, Green Planet, Sustainable Development | No Comments

Going Nuclear – Energy Companies Undermine Renewable Energy Projects

Tuesday, March 17th, 2009

Major energy companies E-on and EDF are putting pressure on the government regarding renewable energy development. They say that unless the government reduces the amount of projects and funding planned for wind farms and wind energy generation, they may be forced to rethink plans to invest in a new round of nuclear power plants.

Greenpeace have long been concerned about the relationship between nuclear and renewable technologies, and as reported in the Guardian, head of the energy solutions unit at Greenpeace, Nathan Argent, commented that Greenpeace has

“always said that nuclear power will undermine renewable energy and will damage the UK’s efforts to tackle climate change – now EDF agrees.”

Greenpeace opposes nuclear power, stating that it is not the solution to climate change. They also bring attention to the “incompetent at best” methods of nuclear waste disposal for years.

In an era where most of the population is well aware of what happened at Chernobyl, and those that didn’t live through it have seen films and photographs and heard stories of what has been left behind, perhaps there is a cautionary tale here that the people at the top of the energy companies are conveniently ignoring. It’s all too easy to gloss over the mistakes and accidents of the past as if they didn’t happen, and with a rationale that they have the solution to dwindling reserves of fossil fuels, and arguments that when run at capacity, nuclear is safe, and with no CO2 produced when energy is generated from it, no wonder the governments turn their heads.

Let’s hope future projects for renewable energy don’t end up being another casualty of consumerism, because let’s face it, if people needed less energy, renewables alone might have a chance to show their worth.

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Posted in Companies and Organisations, Energy and Resources, Environmental Impact, Environmental Politics, Green Planet | 1 Comment

Britain’s Response To The Maldives Going Carbon Neutral

Tuesday, March 17th, 2009

Living in a country where a rise in sea level of 1.5m would see your entire nation looking like the next Atlantis is bound to leave you feeling concerned that the global community is doing enough to stop climate change changing the look of the world as we know it. In light of this, President of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, has pledged a 10 year target for the country to be carbon neutral.

The country wants to achieve this by installing solar panels, erecting 155 wind turbines and burning coconut husks as fuel. The country is looking for international investment to help them achieve their goals, and stated in a video broadcast to viewers at Sunday night’s premiere of Age of Stupid that if the developed countries don’t help them now, they won’t be here to be able to help the developed countries at their hour of need.

Following the broadcast, once the cheers of support for the Maldives had died down, director of the film, Franny Armstrong, welcomed Ed Miliband on stage and challenged him to answer when Britain would be carbon neutral. And Britain’s official response? We will have cut 80% of our carbon emissions by 2050. So ok, we shouldn’t complain that the government is actually making targets, and substantial ones at that. First for the cynical point of how often does the government manage to meet targets? Secondly, how, when a developing nation of 1200 islands can make a pledge to be producing no overall carbon emissions within 10 years, does a developed, technology rich country, with money, have the gaul to say we’re still going to be producing 20% of our carbon emissions after 41 years of trying. Come on Britain, is this really acceptable?

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Posted in Environmental Impact, Environmental Politics, Green Planet | 1 Comment

Age of Stupid Part 3 – The Next Step

Monday, March 16th, 2009

When the reels finished whirring at last night’s premiere of Age of Stupid, the satellite link-up continued, with the opportunity to ask questions of Franny Armstrong, Lizzie Gillett and wind turbine campaigner Piers Guy. Pete Postlethwaite, the star of the show – though he wouldn’t admit it, stating instead that humanity was the true star – joined Franny and Lizzie on stage and told the audience about his reason for getting involved in this thought provoking motion picture. Although his wife got the blame for bringing out the environmentalist in him when standing on the green carpet before the premiere began, Pete feels strongly about the message that the film portrays, saying that it was a film that had to be done.

Pete Postlethwaite came into the film following a speculative enquiry from writer and director, Franny, that was given hope when Franny found a story in a Shropshire newspaper telling of a proposal that Pete and his family had put forward to install their own wind turbine.

Among the audience in the solar cinema itself, were secretary of state for energy and climate change, Ed Miliband and actress Gillian Anderson. Gillian, for whom last night’s viewing was the 3rd time she had seen the film, commented rather emotionally on how powerful the film was, and stated that it inspires people to do something, anything to help the cause that the film is promoting, and this is so true. The way that the people and events were captured on film pulls at your conscience and common sense alike to really make you think.

Stop Climate Chaos, which is made up of over 100 organisations including Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, and the Wildlife Trust to name but a few, took to the stage to share their support for the film, and also for the Not Stupid campaign which launched at the end of the event. Franny confided in the audience that she had thought that once the film was finished, she would be able to retire to grow vegetables, but that the realism of it is – as climate campaigners and experts advised her – the journey has only just begun.

The Not Stupid campaign aims to make people aware of the opportunity we have – many say the last opportunity we have – to make a change to our habits and curb our carbon consumption habits by taking serious action at the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen in 9 months time. The Green Village supports aims to make Age of Stupid available to as many people as possible, because the message it portrays is important to so many people. As the film suggests, now is the time to act if we don’t want the predictions of the film to become reality, people need to receive the wake-up call that this film provides. Show your support for the film by leaving a comment.

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Posted in Environmental Impact, Environmental Politics, Events and Courses, Green Planet | No Comments

Going Solar in the Sahara?

Monday, March 16th, 2009

Experts at a Copenhagen global warming conference have suggested that installing a network of solar panels in the Sahara desert could satisfy the needs of Europe’s energy demands. Dr Anthony Patt from the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Africa commented that this, coupled with the installation of wind turbines grouped in different farms across the north of Africa would be able to provide enough energy for the whole of Europe. He stated that the lower cost of renewable energy combined with the technological advances we have seen of late would make it a viable option for imported energy for the continent.

The huge network of solar panels that would be installed if this plan was approved would work by using a system of mirrors which would focus the sun’s energy on small pipes containing water or salt, and would cover an area the size of “a small country”. The idea is that heat from the sun would either boil the water causing steam, or melt the salt, and the energy produced as a result would be used to drive turbines creating energy that can then be stored for a number of hours, making it better than wind generated power, as wind power is costly to store. It is expected however, that even if the plans are given the green light and funding, that local communities in Europe will not support the laying of transmission cables near to their homes.

The Green Village asks the questions whether, although the pioneering and investigation into using solar power and wind power to meet the needs of European homes and businesses’ energy use is a good sign, is it fair that other countries have to be used to generate this power, or should we instead be doing more to reduce our requirements in the first place? Could plans like this breed complacency towards saving energy because people feel that everything is fine because the Sahara has enough sunlight throughout the year to keep us all going? And if plans do go ahead and it proves be successful, what’s to stop other developed countries wanting to expand the site to another ‘small country’ worth of panels to keep themselves going too? Share your views below.

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Posted in Energy and Resources, Green Planet, Science and Technology, Sustainable Development | No Comments

Age of Stupid Part 2 – The Review

Sunday, March 15th, 2009

The Green Village Team has just returned from the local cinema, where along with 73 other people, a satellite link-up to the special solar cinema set up in Leicester Square screened the premiere of Age of Stupid. The film saw the likes of Alistair Campbell, Ken Livingstone and actress Gillian Anderson, who told crowds she had already seen the film twice and found it extremely powerful and inspired you to want to do something, no matter how small, to help the cause the film is campaigning for.

Entering the cinema, the screen was already showing Pete Postlethwaite arriving on his recycled bike on the green carpet – which was already recycled and would go on to be used again following the event, and the solar car that Piers arrived in was parked beside the railings. After an introduction from Friends of the Earth representatives, interviews on the green carpet began with writer and director Franny Armstrong and producer Lizzie Gillett who proudly told viewers that the film’s carbon footprint is 1% of that of The Day After Tomorrow, and that the premiere itself was 1% of a typical Hollywood film. In addition, all guests attending the premiere had been told they had to do so using green transport, whether by foot or by bus. If anybody had attended by plane, the audience was advised, this act alone would have doubled the total carbon emissions of the entire event.

Age of Stupid, set in 2055, follows The Archivist, played by Pete Postlethwaite, as he lives his lonely existance reviewing a compilation of recordings that have taken place since 2005 and contributed to the current climate crisis the Earth now faces. Apart from this, there is not much else I can say for what happens in the film itself – you need to watch it to find out. You may well find that some of the scenes are familiar as footage is taken from actual events that we have lived through over the past 4 years, but it is the stories of the people attached to the footage, and the message that runs through the film that really hits you when you watch the film. It makes you think.

The screenings of the premiere across 65 different cinemas across the UK, including a sell-out Youth Screening in Fulham where adults were only permitted entrance if accompanied by a child, were supported by and introduced by representatives from Friends of the Earth, with representatives from other groups joining in at our screening, and no doubt others too, spreading the word about the many organisations out there for people to get involved with and do their bit to help prevent the scenes on the screen becoming a reality.

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Posted in Environmental Impact, Events and Courses, Green Planet | 2 Comments

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