Probably not. Internal forecasts from the UK‘s Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) are gloomy.
By 2020, the DECC predicts that only 5% of the UK’s energy will be from renewable sources. That’s way down on the 15% legally-binding target agreed with the European Union‘s Commission.
If the UK fails to meet the target, then the Commission will seek to impose substantial fines on the UK.
The DECC will shortly announce it proposals to make up the shortfall. Wind- and hydro-power are likely to be the main renewable resources the DECC hopes to rely on, together with biomass and sewage processing.
This is a preview of
Will The UK Hit Its Targets For Renewable Energy?
.
Read the full post (113 words, 1 image, estimated 27 secs reading time)
The viability of Carbon Captures and Sequestration (CCS) technology for coal-fired power stations took another step forward on 29th May 2009.
Scottish Power started trials of a test CCS unit at its Longannet plant on the Firth of Forth. The coal burnt at the plant produces 8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually to produce 1 megawatt of power.
But the test unit is not full size. If it was, then Scottish Power calculate that it would use one third of the plant’s electricity output and would not be commercially viable.
Bye-bye big thirsty V8s. President Obama has announced a major global warming measure with the first federal standards for fuel efficiency and exhaust emissions for America’s vehicles.
The new standards are due to take effect in 2012. They require that by 2016 most cars be able to achieve 39 miles per US gallon (47 miles per imperial gallon), up from 27.5 mpg at present. Light trucks will have to better today’s 23 mpg by 7mpg. Exhaust emissions will also have to be reduced by 30%.
Composting is a cheap, natural process that transforms your kitchen and garden waste into a valuable nutrient for your garden. It’s easy to make and use.
Composting reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill. Even for households that are already composting, new research has found that almost half of the food waste in their rubbish bins could have been put in the compost bin.
An interesting fact: composting at home for just one year can save global warming gases equivalent to all the carbon dioxide your kettle produces annually, or your washing machine produces in three months.
This is a preview of
How Can Your Kitchen Waste Help Global Warming?
.
Read the full post (260 words, estimated 1:02 mins reading time)
Global warming is being caused by an ingredient hidden in many of the products that we buy.
Palm oil is found in products like margarine, cookies, bread and chewing gum. It might even be in some washing powders. It’s difficult to spot on the packaging as it’s usually listed as ‘vegetable oil’.
Demand for palm oil may increase if more vegetable oils are required to make biofuels. Currently, the European Union Biofuels Directive aims to achieve fuels with a 5% biofuel content.
This is a preview of
How Are The Contents Of Your Shopping Trolley Causing Global Warming?
.
Read the full post (572 words, estimated 2:17 mins reading time)
Before the Industrial Revolution, life was straightforward. Most things people consumed were produced locally, on a small scale and there was no mass transportation. So they would know where and what they consumed had come from, and probably how it been made.
Fast forward to the 21st Century and the complex, interlinking, global nature of trade. Most of us have no idea how and where the products we consume are made.
Overweight people contribute more to global warming claim two British researchers. The study by Dr Phil Edwards and Ian Roberts of The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine was published in the International Journal of Epidemiology.
The populations of the wealthy nations are getting larger. According to Dr Edwards, “UK health surveys estimate fatness has increased from an average body mass index (BMI) of 26 to 27 in the last ten years. That’s equivalent to about half a stone (7 lbs) for every person”. This is worrying as anyone who has a BMI above 25 is medically considered overweight, whilst over 30 is the medical definition of obese.
This is a preview of
Is Obesity Contributing To Global Warming?
.
Read the full post (395 words, estimated 1:35 mins reading time)
Global Warming And Prince Charles
‘We should be treating the whole issue of climate change with a far greater degree of priority’
- Prince Charles, 27 October 2005
Pity then that Prince Charles doesn’t heed his own advice and look at his own carbon footprint and its effect on global warming..
In April 2009, the heir to the British throne took a five day trip around Europe to promote the UK Government’s global warming policies. Unfortunately, he chartered a private Airbus A319 to transport him and his entourage between Rome, Venice and Berlin.
This is a preview of
Is Prince Charles Bad For Global Warming?
.
Read the full post (460 words, estimated 1:50 mins reading time)
