What Women Want
Elevated sea levels caused by climates change threaten Malta’s supply of drinking water [BBC]
A Californian condor has laid an egg in Mexico for the first time since the 1930s [Times]
Queen Elizabeth II has hired a team of consultants to carry out the first-ever audit of carbon emissions from her three official residences [Yahoo]
Ruth Kelly proposes letting homeowners install energy-saving devices such as wind turbines and solar panels without planning permission [Guardian]
Usually any talk of ‘green royals’ would refer to Charles and his famous green fingers, but it’s the Queen who’s in the spotlight this week, with news that she has hired a team of consultants to review how carbon emissions from the royal residences can be reduced.
It would be uncharitable to point out that, with three official residences, several private homes and an accompanying fleet of bodyguards and flunkys needed wherever they go, the royals are never going to be the most environmentally friendly family in the country.
Indeed, their spokespeople are eager to point out that the queen is well known for turning off unused lights at Buckingham Palace, and that all the vehicles of state used by the queen have already been converted to be more fuel efficient and eco-friendly.
This review will look at Buckingham Palace, Windsor castle and Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh to audit their carbon emissions and make suggestions of ways to reduce them.
Related posts: News roundup: Charles too green for Queen |News roundup: Prince Charles is building eco-mansion on England-Wales border
Summer is definitely on its way now, and I like the idea of spending hot, lazy afternoons relaxing and drinking outside, and where better to swing the afternoon away than a hammock?
This ‘Envirope Hammock’ from Twin Oaks is made from recycled polyester fibre (derived from old soda bottles) – so not only is it environmentally friendly and apparently very comfortable, but it will last outdoors if the weather doesn’t quite live up to my daydreams…
Related post: Click-clunk: the seatbelt hammock
My attempts at DIY tend to end with mangled fingers and wonky shelves, but that doesn’t stop me trying. If you’re a bit more efficient, the green building store could be an invaluable resource for any weekend projects.
The website does exactly what the name suggests, listing suppliers and products for all aspects of building, indoors and out. There’s also an information and advice section – and if it all gets too complicated, a list of professional environmentally-friendly architects, builders and craftspeople you can call in to do it for you.
Related posts: Review: Green Building Bible (2nd edition, natch) | Eco home building shows
PC World is hoping to entice shoppers with their new ‘green’ PC, due to go on sale this autumn. Much of it will be made from recycled materials, and the company also say they will plant trees to offset the carbon produced from the manufacturing process, and advise customers on the most energy-efficient way to configure their new PC.
I’m not entirely convinced. Leaving aside any dislike for PC World as a place to shop, there’s the question of whether planting trees to offset carbon emissions really helps. Would it be better to recycle old computers ourselves and make sure we save energy as much as possible, or is this a step in the right direction? we’ll keep you updated once the product launches.
Related posts: Dell goes green | Google specs standards to save power – LOTS of power
PC World is hoping to entice shoppers with their new ‘green’ PC, due to go on sale this autumn. Much of it will be made from recycled materials, and the company also say they will plant trees to offset the carbon produced from the manufacturing process, and advise customers on the most energy-efficient way to configure their new PC.
I’m not entirely convinced. Leaving aside any dislike for PC World as a place to shop, there’s the question of whether planting trees to offset carbon emissions really helps. Would it be better to recycle old computers ourselves and make sure we save energy as much as possible, or is this a step in the right direction? we’ll keep you updated once the product launches.
Related posts: Dell goes green | Google specs standards to save power – LOTS of power
On the 2nd of April, a group of allotment holders in London will be officially evicted to make way for the Olympic development.
The land was given to its tenants 100 years ago be used for gardening in perpetuity, but the London Development Agency wants to demolish them and use the land for a footpath during the Olympics, moving the allotment holders elsewhere. The gardeners are happy to give up their allotments while the Olympics take place, but claim that the plots could easily be incorporated into the development and do not need to be destroyed. They continue to fight to preserve their allotments, and have set up a website documenting their campaign.
The allotment holders are throwing a Spring Party on the 1st of April in support of their campaign – full details are available on their site.
You can also show your support by signing the petition asking for the allotments to be incorporated into the 2012 Olympic site.
The LDA didn’t turn up to its last scheduled meeting with tenants, but it seems that with a little imagination and planning, these plots could continue to feed their gardeners for another 100 years…
Related post: Allotmental
On the 2nd of April, a group of allotment holders in London will be officially evicted to make way for the Olympic development.
The land was given to its tenants 100 years ago be used for gardening in perpetuity, but the London Development Agency wants to demolish them and use the land for a footpath during the Olympics, moving the allotment holders elsewhere. The gardeners are happy to give up their allotments while the Olympics take place, but claim that the plots could easily be incorporated into the development and do not need to be destroyed. They continue to fight to preserve their allotments, and have set up a website documenting their campaign.
The allotment holders are throwing a Spring Party on the 1st of April in support of their campaign – full details are available on their site.
You can also show your support by signing the petition asking for the allotments to be incorporated into the 2012 Olympic site.
The LDA didn’t turn up to its last scheduled meeting with tenants, but it seems that with a little imagination and planning, these plots could continue to feed their gardeners for another 100 years…
Related post: Allotmental
Here’s a beautiful new book from the WWF that would brighten up any home.
Flowers of the Amazon Forest features over 200 drawings, photographs and sketches from the late Margaret Mee – a conservationist, traveller and painter. The text is taken from her diaries while travelling through the Amazon, and the book itself is printed on paper from a renewable source – so you can enjoy these pictures without contributing to the destruction of the rainforest.
Related posts: WWF’s mystery parcel | Friends of the Earth UK Book Store
The clocks have finally gone forward and it’s officially spring. If you’re missing that stolen hour from Sunday morning and need a new timepiece to help you adjust, there are a range of eco-friendly options out there.
I like the look of this water-powered multi-function clock from Nigel’s Eco Store. It’s £14.95 and features an alarm to get you out of bed as well as a temperature gauge so you can make sure it really is spring-like outside.
Related posts: Fruit powered clock | Hello Kitty Solar Swing Digital Clock
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