Tag: TVB Climate Challenge

Local progress to reduce our carbon footprint

Royal Berkshire Hospital is currently in the progress of upgrading their energy infrastructure to achieve a 25% reduction in our carbon footprint by 2015. The project involves installing a gas powered Combined Heat and Power plant (CHP) which will generate nearly two megawatts of electricity whilst using its waste heat to generate steam and contribute in heating Centre, Maternity and South Blocks. The project is being delivered by Dalkia and the CHP is planned to be operational in April 2013.

During the construction of the new CHP energy services from the existing equipment is being maintained to keep the hospital ‘firing on all cylinders’. At the beginning of November, the old 1979 built steam boiler was decommissioned and removed from site making way for the new engine and heat recovery boiler to be delivered next month.

In addition to upgrading the boiler house energy plant, the project includes the lighting refurbishment scheme. To date 850 new high-performance light fittings have been replaced providing savings to the Trust of £16,000 per year.

“A wonderful local carbon reduction business case to be proud of and should be rolled out”

Please use existing traffic regulation powers to prohibit unnecessary idling!

Idling is something that costs money and causes unnecessary emissions. Idling is often prohibited or regulated in urban areas. By avoiding running the engine at idling speed, a motorist can save money and avoid unnecessary environmental impact.

Do not idle
• One minute of idling requires more fuel than restarting the engine.
• Ten minutes of idling requires 1.3 dl (0.13 l) fuel.
• The idling of a cold engine is an unnecessary emission of toxic fumes.

According to estimates from the Transport Administration running your engine on idle unnecessarily will increase your motoring costs by up to £100 annually. Besides the monetary cost, the car running idle out causes unnecessary emissions.

The exhaust gases that are emitted are the most toxic when the engine is newly started and cold. Scrape the windows before you start the car. Also make sure that there are no children around the car when the engine is idling. Children are more sensitive to fumes and because they are shorter, they are also closer to the exhaust pipe #footprintgallery

(In Stockholm, local health protection regulations mean that you can´t run the car engine on idle for more than a minute. The only exception to this is for vehicles that need to keep the engine running to operate a plant, such as garbage trucks.)

Idling

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The legislation concerning the running of the engine of a stationary vehicle that is outside for more than a minute does not apply: if
O Traffic conditions cause vehicles to stay in a traffic queue
O The engine is kept running to the extent required for the vehicle’s efficient use, or to power plant other than those related to heating. The best technology from an environmental and health protection should be used.

An immediately idling ban, however, is required for vehicles stopped at a bridge opening.

Violation can result in a fine
If a violation of the one minute rule for idling is noted, the incident can be reported to the police. The matter is then investigated by a public prosecutor. Conviction can result in a fine. If you see someone running the car engine at idle for more than a minute, you can report this to the police by phone XXY XY.

Climate change: It’s even worse than we thought – New Scientist

Five years ago, the last report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change painted a gloomy picture of our planet’s future. As climate scientists gather evidence for the next report, due in 2014, Michael Le Page gives seven reasons why things are looking even grimmer

New Scientist Special Report: 7 Reasons Climate Change Is ‘Even Worse Than We Thought’ Climate change: It’s even worse than we thought – New Scientist.

CO2-VisionNilEmission

REPORT: Turn Down the Heat (The World Bank)

TURN DOWN THE HEAT: WHY A 4°C WARMER WORLD MUST BE AVOIDED

The report warns that the world will heat up by 4 degrees at the end of the century if the global community fails to act on climate change.

WHY A 4°C WARMER WORLD MUST BE AVOIDED

Read the +4°C REPORT (24 pages)
http://climatechange.worldbank.org/sites/default/files/Turn_Down_the_Heat_Executive_Summary_English.pdf

Download the full +4°C REPORT (106 pages)
http://climatechange.worldbank.org/sites/default/files/Turn_Down_the_heat_Why_a_4_degree_centrigrade_warmer_world_must_be_avoided.pdf