Results tagged “carbon” from Transition Newent

'The Heat is On!' by Chris Wooldridge of Transition Town Newent

Changing Climate No Conspiracy

I wish I could report that climate change science is bunkum. The recent uproar concerning the University of East Anglia's emails and the IPCC's data has clearly damaged public perception of climate change so I think it's important to stress the overwhelming evidence for man-made climate change. It is continually reaffirmed by independent researchers throughout the world including the British Antarctic Survey, NASA and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who for eight of the past nine years were funded by Bush's sceptical Republican administration.  (read more .....)

'The Heat is On!' by Chris Wooldridge of Transition Town Newent

Judge a Shop by its Shelf in Bid to Win Climate War

Why do environmentalists give supermarkets a hard time? Well, much of the reason lies with retailers' bold claims that they are in the fight against climate change while what actually appears on their shelves contradicts this.  ......(more)

‘The Heat is On!’ by Chris Wooldridge of Transition Town Newent

Signing Pledge at Onion Fair

The onion tribe are the perfect Transition vegetables: easy to grow in our temperate climate, they store well and are versatile, tasty, and health-giving. Each September, Newent’s Onion Fair celebrates this fine plant, and by association, its magnificent cousins the leek, shallot and garlic.

Transition Newent took a stall at this year’s Fair and gave visitors the opportunity to pledge reductions in their carbon footprints by backing the global campaign 10:10.  Launched in London this month by film-maker Franny Armstrong, 10:10 is about individuals and organisations pledging a 10% reduction in their carbon footprint in 2010 and marks the beginning of a longer energy descent to meet an 80% reduction by 2050 if we are to avoid catastrophic global warming. See details and sign-up on www.1010uk.org .

We received 60 individual pledges at the Onion Fair ranging from a young student who pledged to walk to school instead of driving her car to an ambitious plan for a business centre with 25 offices heated by biomass.  FoDDC pledged a 25% carbon reduction over five years. Our 60 pledges represent about 100 tons less carbon by next December, a small contribution but 10:10 has so far received pledges from over 17,000 individuals and 600 businesses including Spurs football team, Royal Mail and several NHS trusts. The entire cabinet and Tory front bench have also signed-up.

Nearly all the people I spoke to on Saturday were well on the way with basic energy saving in the house, they recycled and were keen to buy locally-produced food. But as I looked around me on that hot September afternoon in Newent's Church Street, at the single-glazed windows, the un-insulated walls and lofts and the absence of solar panels I recognised the huge steps that will have to be made and the financial assistance required if we are to meet our carbon reduction targets. The energy-descent conversation has just begun.

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‘The Heat is On!’ by Chris Wooldridge of Transition Town Newent

Ways to cut our Carbon Footprint

June hasn’t turned out quite as hot and sunny as some predicted. Apart from a few glorious days, the month has been generally cloudy with chilly evenings and some heavy storms. But this is just weather, not climate; global temperature trends point upwards and each of us needs to consider how we can reduce our personal carbon footprint.

Current average UK emissions per person are 12.5 tonnes of CO2 each year. The UK’s proposed target of 80% reduction by 2050 means a personal annual emission of 2.5 tonnes of CO2. If we share emissions among the world’s population our ration would be just 1.5 tonnes so we have a long way to go.  As examples, a return flight to New Zealand racks up 12 tonnes, a whole year’s average emission; a Far East trip, 6.4 tonnes but a rail journey from Gloucester to Madrid would generate just 115 kg. To calculate your own carbon footprint, go on-line, for example, to:  www.resurgence.org/resources/  

Improved insulation, efficient heating systems and renewable energy technologies can yield substantial financial savings and considerably reduce carbon footprints. Of course this can cost money but there is help at hand from many organisations.

Here in the Forest of Dean, the Severn Wye Energy Agency (SWEA) based in Highnam offers advice on energy-related topics and administers grant applications.  I am currently having a solar hot water system fitted and have been able to claim grants of £1400.00: £400 from the Low Carbon Buildings Programme plus the £1000.00 Gloucestershire-specific Renewable Energy Grant. SWEA was able to sort out my application and confirm the grant within a few days. SWEA tell me there’s lots more money available at the moment for similar projects.  Contact them now to discuss your requirements on 01452 835060 or go to www.swea.co.uk