Something that made me think...

...and hopefully it will you too.

Last night, on my ride home, I stopped off for a breather & coffee (wind was pretty bad). I was sat there, at the petrol station, next to the news papers. So, as you do, I was taking a gander at the front pages.

A couple of tabloids running the usual crap stories about celebs flashing bits, and "Celebrity" Big Brother etc etc, but also The Independent.

The front of the Independent, was all about travel & the environment. Specifically, trains vs planes. They'd basically done research, to go from Manchester to London by train the next day (so short notice travel), and back to Manchester by plane, the same day (again, short notice).

Now, whilst they can't really of looked around for deals that much, their research was eye opening.

The train, would cost £217 (IIRC), 34 leave everyday on the route they wanted, and kick out 14kg of CO2 per passenger, per train.

The plane, 38 leave every day bound for Manchester, cost less, at £171, but kick out 90kg CO2 per passenger per plane.

Now, I'm the same as other folks, I'd rather get there the cheap way, and I could probably find a cheaper plane ticket than that, and not even give a thought to the expense of the environment. But perhaps I should make the effort to change that.

Today, I've also stumbled across this news story. Which clearly states that in Scotland, Wind farms account for 40% of energy generated, and, once completed, don't damage the environment by being there.

Yet still people object to them, so would presumably either go without electricity, or use fosil fuels etc. Someone in that article also thinks that the visual impact of wind turbines will be counter-productive to tourism. What the?? Apparently, visitors come for the scenery in scotland. How many visitors would stay in a dark hotel because there's a lack of power?

In my eyes, renewable sources of energy is probably about the only thing the government are doing right. I've had experience of an energy company wanting to build a wind farm near me, and as "compensation" for the visual impact they were offering up to 30% discount for customers if they were allowed to build the wind farms. They didn't need to offer that to get a yes from me!

I'm also looking at getting solar panels on the roof (since '07 is apparently going to be another warm summer) and even looking at how much potential I have to put a wind turbine in my garden. Hell, if it saves me money on the bills, it's got to be worth it.

Anyway, just thought I'd share

Here Here


... part of the reason i'm looking to bike, 2 litre Turbos, dont run on air y'know well, maybe it does, but you know what i mean,

22MPG is killing me and the planet!

That really annoys me, this "not in my backyard" attitude, personally I think wind farms look fantastic.

Wasn't there a noticable change in the weather in America when they grounded all the planes after September 11th.

Originally Posted by tricky

Wasn't there a noticable change in the weather in America when they grounded all the planes after September 11th.

doubt it, certainly nothing that could be proved scientifically. my guess would be coincidence.

Originally Posted by keithd

doubt it, certainly nothing that could be proved scientifically. my guess would be coincidence.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/south...10/week2.shtml

Hmm, 1 degree isn't really much is it ?. perhaps some more food for thought though

Originally Posted by keithd

doubt it, certainly nothing that could be proved scientifically. my guess would be coincidence.

The temperature shot up a few degrees which led them to do a program on 'Global Dimming'.

The crap in the atmosphere is apparently the only thing protecting us from the worst effects of the damage we have done to the ozone layer by reflecting a lot of the sun's rays back out...

Edit: Ah... beaten to it.

in b&q we sell these

http://www.windsave.com/

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav/na...dsave&zone=all

claim to cut a third off your house bills, incase any of you are intrested,

[RingDing]

Originally Posted by Baph

account for 40% of energy generated,

The key bit is that it is 40% of renewable energy, the other 60% being mainly hydroelectric. The percentage of renewable energy to nuclear and fossil fuel generated energy isn't stated, it'll be small though. I agree whole heartedly with what you say about wind farms. There are environmental issues with their placing though, mainly to do with migratory routes of birds, but these can be avoided.

As for the solar panels, in terms of efficiency and the cost to install, you are probably best off with the hot water type, not the ones that generate electricity. Which ever you go for make sure you explore what grants are available to help ease the cost of installation. I'm seriously considering the hot water panels for our house.

BBC Wildlife magazine did a review of different energy generation schemes for installing on a house, I'll see if I can dig it out and scan it in.

Originally Posted by tricky

http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/south...10/week2.shtml

Hmm, 1 degree isn't really much is it ?. perhaps some more food for thought though

i think one degress is quite a lot in these terms.

propaganda i say!

i blame the cows

Originally Posted by keithd

i blame the cows

Did you read about the fart tax???