Tag: Reading University

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

New station subway to open | Reading Borough Council

27/02/2013

To help deliver improvement works at Reading station the newly refurbished subway opens on Friday 1st March on the same day the section of the passenger bridge which links the station to the multi-storey car park will close for good.

The much-improved new pedestrian route from Vastern Road direct into the town centre will connect residents living north of the station.

The current passenger bridge will close permanently, to allow new platforms underneath it to be completed. For four weeks people will be able to use a temporary walking route via the new subway. Those using the temporary route should allow up to an additional 15 minutes to get to their trains.

The subway, which will be maintained by Council, has a new lighting and digital CCTV system linked to the station and police.

When the new northern entrance and passenger bridge is opened in April 2013, the subway will be the only means for those without train tickets to get from one side of the railway to the other.

via New station subway to open | Reading Borough Council.

On vacation we do not consider the environment

Although many of us think of to make environmentally friendly choices in everyday life, when it comes to the holiday we prioritize other things.

Most tourists opt out of taking the green option when it comes to travel planning, especially regarding the mode of transport they use.

– Many people think of the environment in their everyday lives, for example they recycle, cycle or take public transportation to work and choosing organic foods – but when it comes to the holiday, it may seem that they do not want to take responsibility for the environment, but other things may control decisions, says Therese Hedlund ..

“Feels far away”

Her study shows that our decisions are more often based on individual, rather than the collective benefits when it comes to travel.

– For example flying is a quick and convenient way to get around when you have time constraints or are traveling with children, but the negative environmental impacts will affect us collectively. These negative feelings feel far away when we are making the decision, says Therese Hedlund.

Ironically tourists are also not willing to pay for an environmentally-friendly tour operator when considering the mode of transport to get to their destination, will however consider an environmentally-friendly, and often more expensive, accommodations at the resort.

– By choosing an eco-labelled accommodation you can show others that you are willing and able to pay for an accommodation that is more beneficial for the environment. This behaviour can provide status in today’s society, says Therese Hedlund.

 

ABOUT THE SURVEY

Based on a dissertation from Umeå University in Sweden that used two different surveys, one with 681, and the other with 732 response participants. The average age of the participants was 44 and 52 years, and there were equal numbers of men and women in both surveys.

 

Source: http://www.expressen.se/res/pa-semestern-bryr-vi-oss-inte-om-miljon/

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.

Global risks 2013

The World Economic Forum has recently published “Global Risks 2013” – a report on how various factors affect the development of the world.

The report analyzes 50 global risks concerning their influence and interconnection, and the likelihood of them happening. The report is based on surveys of more than 1,000 experts in industry, government and academia.

The results show that the world is exposed to greater risks during economic crises, as these reduce our ability to deal with environmental issues. Income Gaps and economic deficits are factors that pose the greatest risks to the world. In third place was increased greenhouse gases.

http://www.weforum.org/reports/global-risks-2013-eighth-edition

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

 

 

Cities Special Interest Group – Hotting Up? Low Carbon Plans in UK Cities

The battle against climate change and resource depletion will be won or lost in the world’s cities. Cities present us with huge environmental challenges, but also offer huge opportunities, because they create economies of scale in technology deployment and access to capital, both of which are vital if we are to make the existing built environment of our cities sustainable and resource efficient by 2050..

Future Cities Special Interest Group – Hotting Up? Low Carbon Plans in UK Cities