Tag: Future

Study: Walkable Infill Development a Goldmine for City Governments

By Angie Schmitt

A study out of Nashville by Smart Growth America provides more evidence that building walkable development in existing communities is best for a city’s bottom line.

Nashville’s “The Gulch” — a mixed-use development downtown — generates a much greater public return than more suburban developments in the same city. Image: Cumberland Region Tomorrow

SGA recently examined three different developments in the Music City. One was a large-lot, traditional suburban-style development called Bradford Hills built on greenfield site. Another was a “new urban”-style, mixed-use, walkable development also built on a greenfield, called Lennox Village. The third — known as The Gulch — was a mixed-use, compact housing and office development with retail and dining, built on a brownfield between Nashville’s Music Row and downtown…

via Study: Walkable Infill Development a Goldmine for City Governments | Streetsblog Capitol Hill.

Margaret Thatcher: an unlikely green hero? | John Vidal

The former prime minister helped put climate change, acid rain and pollution onto the mainstream political map

Artist Lambert paints Britain's former Prime Minister Thatcher at his studio in Brighton

An artist paints a portrait of Margaret Thatcher. Her 11 years in power coincided with a decade of profound national and global environmental change. Photograph: Luke Macgregor/REUTERS

Margaret Thatcher will be remembered for her short lived “green period” in the late 1980s when she helped put climate change (or global warming as it was then known), acid rain and pollution on to the mainstream political map. Tutored by Sir Crispin Tickell, British ambassador to the UN in New York, she made several dramatic environment speeches..

Jonathon Porritt, head of Friends of the Earth in the late 1980s,

via Margaret Thatcher: an unlikely green hero? | John Vidal | Environment | guardian.co.uk.

Mr Enrique Penalosa

Swedens EPA’s mission is to ensure that environmental policy decisions are implemented. “We working hard towards sustainable environment and preventing further damage to the climate”. Their vision is for a good habitat both for humans and all other living beings now and for future generations.

This presentation by Mr Enrique Penalosa is from his speech at Klimatforum 2013, 20th March. The theme is the Climate and transports. The clip starts at 1.29 minutes.

Mr Enrique Penalosa, its a must see – Courageous! Bambuser | Klimatforum 2013 – (naturvardsverket) – LIVE at http://bambuser.com/v/3455758#t=5343s

An idea for Readings new bicycling and walking plan

FUTURE CLIMATE CHANGE NEWS

It should feel natural and safe to both walk and cycle from one neighbourhood to another. Options that make the idea more appealing  include pedestrian and bike paths, green space, lighting and safe pedestrian crossings in traffic.

The idea of ??the future Reading is for the community to be built block by  block into a close, safe and environmentally friendly town. The goal is vibrant neighbourhoods throughout Greater Reading, not just in the inner city.

It is part of our urban mobility strategy to make it easier to cycle in Reading throughout the yea ( and for the amount of cycle-miles to increase. A new Bicycle Plan explains how to increase bicycle commuting and how it will be easier and safer to ride in Reading.

The number of cyclists in Reading has increased significantly over the past ten years. More and more people have discovered the benefits of cycling as a means of transport. The bicycle is a simple, fast, inexpensive and environmentally friendly means of transport. You also get free exercise, and enjoy the health benefits of cycling. The city is currently working on a new bike plan to improve the accessibility for cyclists.

To develop the cycle network further, Reading is developing a new bike plan, which include a range of measures to build more bike paths and bike lanes, building bicycle commuter routes to facilitate bike commuting, and improving the service by building more bicycle parking, changing the priority of traffic signals and improving operation and maintenance. The Bicycle Plan was adopted by the Transport and the Real Estate Committee and the Environment and Health Committee in October 2012 and by the Borough Council in February 2013.

 

Why not try / sign up for

Bike Week 2013

Bike Week, the UK’s biggest mass participation cycling event, had almost half a million people taking part in the celebrations of cycling across the UK in 2012.

Bike Week events offered something for everyone; from families, schools and companies, to seasoned cyclists and those who have never cycled before.

Bike Week 2013 will take place between 15 – 23 June. Don’t miss out and register your interest now to receive the latest news from us!

Ultra-low emission vehicles – Reducing greenhouse gases and other emissions from transport

The government has set an ambitious vision for almost every car and van to be a zero emission vehicle by 2050.

We are positioning the UK at the global forefront of ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) development, manufacture and use. Greater use of ULEVs will contribute to economic growth and will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution on our roads.

Through the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) we are providing over £400 million to advance ULEV technology and encourage people to buy and drive ULEVs.

Grants

  • To encourage more people to drive ULEVs we offer several grants:
  • Plug-in Car Grant
  • Plug-in Van Grant
  • domestic chargepoints
  • residential on-street chargepoints
  • residential on-street and rapid chargepoints for local authorities
  • train station car park chargepoints
  • chargepoints on the public sector estate

Investment in new technologies

We work closely with industry and other government departments to develop and strengthen the capability of ULEV manufacturing and its associated supply chain in the UK:

  • supporting automotive manufacturing and the UK supply chain

We actively participate in the joint government and industry UKH?Mobility project, evaluating the potential for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles in the UK and developing a roadmap for their commercial deployment from 2015.

  • key findings from the UKH?Mobility evaluation phase

We fund projects targeted at low and ultra-low vehicle technologies, designed to promote research, design, development and demonstration in the UK:

  • low carbon vehicle technology research and development

Recharging infrastructure

We have set out a framework for the development of recharging infrastructure to support electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles:

  • strategy on plug-in vehicle infrastructure

To inform future development of the UK’s recharging network, we are funding the Plugged-in Places programme.

  • Plugged-in Places

Support for fleets

We provide funding and support to fleets considering purchasing low emission vehicles:

  • Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme (LCVPP) funding for public sector fleets purchasing hybrid vans
  • fleet consultancy through the Energy Saving Trust’s Plugged-in Fleets initiative
  • infrastrucutre on the government estate

Interaction with the energy system

We work with the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) and the Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) to understand the interaction of plug-in vehicles with the energy system. In particular, we are mindful of the:

  • additional demands the electrification of transport might place on the electricity system
  • contribution that plug-in vehicles might make in terms of system balancing and the transition to smart grids, and energy security

New vehicle carbon dioxide emissions standards

EU regulations set out targets for emission reductions for new cars and vans. In the next few years we expect the EC to make proposals for post-2020 new car and new van emission standards, as well as a strategy for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from lorries, buses and coaches.

via Ultra-low emission vehicles – Reducing greenhouse gases and other emissions from transport – Policies – Inside Government – GOV.UK.

Electrifying Reading Station

FUTURE CLIMATE CHANGE NEWS
 
  • The aim is to become one of the UK’s first climate-neutral train stations
  • Electrifying key routes on the railway will mean faster, greener, quieter and more reliable journeys for thousands of passengers.
  • The overall goals are pointing towards climate-and fossil fuel-free district in 2030 where   carbon dioxide emissions below 1.5 tonnes per person per year by 2020
 
electrifying

Electric trains emits circa 20-35% less carbon per passenger than a diesel train. With zero emissions at the point of use, they  improve air quality in pollution hot spots such as city centres and main line stations. Electric trains are quieter than diesels and are virtually silent when waiting at stations.

Read about the progress at Reading station area development:
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/reading

A British Energy supplier launches solar power solutions for companies in Greater Reading

FUTURE CLIMATE CHANGE NEWS

It is now offering British Energy businesses in the Greater Reading area the opportunity to buy solar power solutions. The production of one´s own electricity from the sun can be a reality for entrepreneurs. It has a range of comprehensive solutions which can help with everything from the planning to the commissioning of the plant.

– In spring 2013, we will launch our finished solar packages to residential customers in the region. We are now taking the next step in our commitment to environmentally friendly and renewable energy solutions by also offering corporate solar power, says the director of new business at British TBV-Energy.

British Energy’s offer to entrepreneurs is solution-oriented, which means that we tailor our solutions to the customer’s needs and the current real estate conditions. Customer may help all the way, from accessing it´s feasibility to the installation and commissioning of the solar system. Whether the system is integrated into the building’s facade, roof, or a more standard solution, is completely dependent on what is the most optimal and economical for the customer.

– As the next generation of energy, we want to be at the forefront of developments leading towards our vision of a sun economy – ie where all energy is directly or indirectly derived from the sun – and we believe that distributed, local production is an important step on the way, says British TVB-Energy.

Is this what we can expect from a four degree increase in temperature by 2050?

It this what we can expect from a four degree increase in temperature by 2050?

  • The sea rises, and at least 1.5 million people are homeless only in Egypt.
  • Bangladesh loses over 30% of their lands, tens of millions of people become homeless.
  • Antarctic ice may melt quickly and sea levels rise by five meters.
  • Agricultural production is decreasing globally.
  • Most of the Indian subcontinent becomes dehydrated.
  • Drought affects especially south-western North America, Central America, the Mediterranean and South Africa.
  • In Southern Europe disappear 70% of the summer rains, heat waves lasting an average of 65 days longer.
  • Forest fires in the Alps.
  • British summer temperatures are likely to reach 45? C
  • Europe receives 80% less snowfall, creating water shortages.
  • A little better harvests in Canada and Russia.
  • Greenland ice melts rapidly, as the Antarctic ice. It can create an “Atlantic circulation,” which can temporarily cool Western Europe and lead to severe storms.
  • Permafrost in Siberia melts; large amounts of methane are released. Since methane is 23 times stronger than carbon dioxide, this could at a stroke increase greenhouse gas emissions by 700%.

Reading can become a Climate Change leader with your support,
– What are you waiting for?

Are you responsible for planing your Eco-friendly business, if so, please take part in our 10+10 Climate Change poll

Here are the links to the survey, thank you (closes 4th February)

TVB_ClimateChallenge Climate Change Business Poll A
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/55TQ8Y5

TVB_ClimateChallenge Climate Change Business Poll B
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KWTLW9Q

/Team TVB_ClimateChallenge