climate change

The problem with aviation

Last edited 13 June 2007 at 4:09pm

In terms of damage to the climate, flying is 10 times worse than taking the train. It's responsible for 13 per cent of the UK's impact on the climate (the government's figures). And it's the fastest growing source of emissions in the UK; between 1990 and 2050, emissions from aviation are set to quadruple, which scientists say could wipe out all other emissions savings we make in every other sector (pdf).

Aviation - frequently asked questions

Last edited 13 June 2007 at 3:50pm

Aviation accounts for 13 per cent of UK's total climate impact

Glastonbury: skating, soulmates and carbon dating

Posted by jamie — 13 June 2007 at 11:37am - Comments

A skateboarder rides an FSC ramp at Glastonbury in 2005So, we've covered the Techno-Dome and some of the highlights in the Greenpeace field. Let's see - what else have we got lined up for Glastonbury?

If you've ever wondered what your carbon footprint looks like, you can get your own carbon calculator installed on your mobile at the Bluetooth Takeaway. The Centre for Alternative Technology will be offering them to download via Bluetooth.

Then you can stroll over to the Guardian Soulmates for some 'carbon' dating. They'll match you a mate with some speed dating and carbon mating. There'll be dancing and cabaret in the evenings between 8pm and 10pm, and if you get serious we'll 'marry' you on Sunday afternoon for a year and a day, just like in the fairy tales.

Sharing is good, especially when it involves cars

Posted by jamie — 13 June 2007 at 11:01am - Comments

Treehugger reminds us that tomorrow is National Liftshare Day, when everyone is encouraged to make sure as many seats as possible are filled for those essential car journeys.

Illegal timber supplies axed by B&Q

Last edited 12 June 2007 at 11:20am
12 June, 2007

Beijing, China - Companies supplying China with illegal timber were dealt a major blow today when the world's third largest home improvement retailer, B&Q, announced a scheme to root out illegal supplies and guarantee within three years all products will be from certified responsible forestry programmes.

Two months ago, Greenpeace revealed that many timber species commonly sold in home improvement stores across China come from countries where up to 80 per cent of the logging is illegal and destructive.(1)

Last edited 1 January 1970 at 1:00am
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A zero-carbon home of one's own

Posted by jamie — 11 June 2007 at 5:26pm - Comments

Greenpeace volunteers on John Prescott's roof, with the solar panels they kindly installed for himIn the news today are reports of the first zero-carbon home being unveiled in London. Housing minister Yvette Cooper has been touring the site, nodding in a ministerial way at the insulation, solar panels, water recycling and construction methods that went into the first home to meet the top standards of the government's sustainable housing code.

According to the report on this morning's Today programme (you can listen again for the next seven days), the ultra-efficient abode cost 40 per cent more to build than a 'normal' house but as more are built, the economies of scale will bring that down. As the government intends to make all new housing zero-carbon by 2016, that price fall should start in the near future, although Cooper was evasive when quizzed about exactly how many of the 160,000 homes planned in the Thames Gateway region would be zero-carbon. A rolling increase in standards was all she would commit to.

Last edited 1 January 1970 at 1:00am
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Win Glastonbury tickets!

Posted by bex — 9 June 2007 at 1:30pm - Comments

Glastonbury

UPDATE (18/06/07 9.30am): The competition has now closed. Thanks for all the fantastic entries! View the winners, images, animations and other videos.

We have two pairs of Glastonbury tickets to give away to whoever creates the best picture or short video about climate change.

The theme of this year's Glastonbury is climate change, so we're asking you to create a picture or short video on the subject. We'll choose two winners - one picture and one video - and each winner gets a pair of tickets.

Your entry can be about pretty much anything to do with climate change – what you think about it, how it makes you feel, what you're doing about it, what you think others should be doing, the impacts, the solutions etc. It can be serious, heart-breaking, funny or downright daft. It can be a photo, a sketch, a graphic, a film, an animation, mash-up or pretty much any format you like. It can be abstract, with the connection to climate change explained in the title or caption. It just can't be offensive. And videos must be less than two minutes long.

Glastonbury competition rules

Last edited 9 June 2007 at 12:09pm

This competition is for fun and to raise awareness of climate change and what you can do about it, but there are still a few rules, sorry:

1. The closing date for submissions is midnight GMT on Sunday 17th June. We’ll notify the winner by telephone or email on Monday 18th June. The festival dates are 22-24 June so there's not much time to spare; if you win and we can't get hold of you by 3pm on Monday, we reserve the right to award the prize to someone else.

2. Your picture or video must be your own work (although mash-ups are allowed).

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