Several websites have come to my notice in the last week that have a real bearing on what we could do to reduce Abingdon's carbon footprint. It seems there are people out there who have done a lot of the legwork. I would really appreciate if you could find time to look at one or two of these and give us some feedback!
First up is Ashton Hayes, who made a decision to aspire to be "the UK's first carbon-neutral village". They have had funding to help spread the word to others, so they are very professional! The main website is http://www.goingcarbonneutral.co.uk/ and the advice for other communities is at http://www.goingcarbonneutral.co.uk/getting-your-project-off-the-g/
I will request a DVD from them for the group.
Secondly there is Chester, whose plan, Vision 2050, has undergone academic review and (but?) is very well written. They wrote: A group of us in Chester wrote this document for the new unity council here. It outlines a low carbon vision for 2050 and lays out how the council, communities and business can start to work together to get there. We'd like it to be used as far and wide as possible as the majority of it can be used elsewhere. Please send it to councils, communities, business, anyone you think may be able to use it. http://www.chester.gov.uk/pdf/Vision2050.pdf
Thirdly there is Blewbury Energy Initiative just down the road from Abingdon, who are a small group who have a very comprehensive webshttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifite: http://www.blewbury.co.uk/energy/energy.htm
Fouthly there is Goring and Streatley Sustainability Group http://www.gssg.org.uk/ who have donw a lot of the legwork on the feasibility of getting electricity from the Thames - with a nice picture of how their hydro-electric scheme will look - a giant Archimedes screw! If they can do it, so can we....
So get surfing and let us know your thoughts - either to me or on the blog - http://carboncutters.blogspot.com . But please don't just suggest something for other people to do - if you think something should be done, offer to get involved in making it happen!
All these ideas will be thrown around at our AGM on Wednesday July 15th, 7.30pm at St Ethelwolds House, 30 East St Helen Street, OX14 5EB
See you then.
Sally
... Read this ...
Monday, May 25, 2009
Bike Week - June 13th-21st - Requests
Do you know someone with a modern unusual bike e.g. recumbent bike, adult disabled bike, tandem, tricycle etc? We would love them to bring it along on Saturday 13th to show people what a wide range of bikes are "out there", and what a variety of uses one can make of them. We have heard of at least one person who takes all his tools to the allotment in his bike trailer and has room to take a picnic too! We promise to take photos of all the bikes and put them on our website!
Also, Eleanor is still looking for helpers in Bike week, particularly Sat 13th June (9.30a.m.-4.30 p.m.) and Sunday 14th June (1-4p.m.) . Do get in touch with her if you can help - eledanger@hotmail.com
... Read this ...
Also, Eleanor is still looking for helpers in Bike week, particularly Sat 13th June (9.30a.m.-4.30 p.m.) and Sunday 14th June (1-4p.m.) . Do get in touch with her if you can help - eledanger@hotmail.com
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Biofuels
Last night Pete and I went to an event at Science Live Oxford, an evening discussing biofuels with Ben Mayo (who works in the local biofuel industry).
Ben’s presentation centred around using biofuels for bin lorries, which have a surprisingly (until you think about it) high carbon footprint. The loads they carry, and the stop-start nature of the routes, means that they are very fuel hungry vehicles, and they can account for 15% of a local authority’s carbon footprint. They’re also difficult to run on alternative fuels – hybrids would need too many batteries and an LPG conversion compromises the load space to a large degree.
But the fact that they return to the depot after each route makes them ideal candidates for conversion to biodiesel – they can refuel at the depot rather than requiring a biodiesel distribution system.
Local authorities have been given ambitious carbon reduction targets by the government, and reducing the carbon footprint of their waste collections could be a very big step in the right direction. But what are the downsides?
Biodiesel is essentially plant oils treated chemically to make them less viscose (thick) (or you can use a twin tank system, which starts an engine using mineral diesel and then uses waste energy heat to heat the biodiesel until it’s runny enough to go through the engine properly).
Virgin vegetable oils (VO) are expensive – and controversial, since it is essentially converting a food product into a fuel. There’s also wider environmental impacts to consider. But they’re readily available, high quality and can be converted into a reliable, consistent and high quality biodiesel.
Waste vegetable oils (WVO), from the catering industry, have a superior environmental profile and are cheaper. But the fragmented sources and the varying product quality make it harder to produce consistent and high quality fuel. The problem here is that although older diesel engines aren’t fussy about their fuel, modern high-tech engines are. And commercial vehicles have tighter emissions controls than the domestic fleet.
Biodiesel has a different emissions profile than mineral diesel, and emits more nitrous oxides (NOx, which causes problems with local air quality but is also a greenhouse gas), but new technology allows NOx to be removed from exhaust gases.
If the technical problems can be overcome (and they can) then converting bin lorries to run on biodiesel made from waste oil is cheaper and more environmentally friendly – so it looks like a simple decision. Biodiesel gives effectively the same mpg as mineral diesel, and if made from waste oils have an 85-90% reduction in CO2 over the lifecycle of the fuel.
However, even if we convert all of our waste vegetable oil into biodiesel, we’re still only looking at a few percent of our total diesel requirements here in the UK. Biodiesel isn’t going to solve all of our problems, but what it does do is start to break away from the mentality that fossil fuels are the only answer. Other alternative fuels (fuel crops that grow on otherwise non-productive land, algae and seaweed, and renewable energy in general) can then benefit from a more positive environment and increased investment and research.
After Ben's presentation there was a group activity, looking at the various stakeholders who would be involved in a decision to convert bin lorries to run on biodiesel – the environmental officers, fleet managers, vehicle managers, the public, local catering outlets, environmentalists, etc.
One of the main concerns is that using biodiesel voids the manufacturers warranty on the vehicle, especially if fuel cannot be manufactured to the European standard (which is tricky, from WVO). Ben's solution to this is to define a reachable standard and then find a third-party insurer to take on the warranty – which makes the conversion a no-risk choice for the local council.
However, there are only two vehicle manufacturers in this sector (Mercedes and Dennis Eagle), and so a large fleet manager would have considerable sway over them. And as waste collections are generally outsourced (to companies like Biffa and Grundon), if they could be brought on board then the process could be made considerably easier.
Here in Oxfordshire, biodiesel is available to the general public via Golden Fuels (http://www.goldenfuels.com), a well-established co-operative that collects waste oil for processing into biodiesel that is then sold to consumers and local businesses. ... Read this ...
Ben’s presentation centred around using biofuels for bin lorries, which have a surprisingly (until you think about it) high carbon footprint. The loads they carry, and the stop-start nature of the routes, means that they are very fuel hungry vehicles, and they can account for 15% of a local authority’s carbon footprint. They’re also difficult to run on alternative fuels – hybrids would need too many batteries and an LPG conversion compromises the load space to a large degree.
But the fact that they return to the depot after each route makes them ideal candidates for conversion to biodiesel – they can refuel at the depot rather than requiring a biodiesel distribution system.
Local authorities have been given ambitious carbon reduction targets by the government, and reducing the carbon footprint of their waste collections could be a very big step in the right direction. But what are the downsides?
Biodiesel is essentially plant oils treated chemically to make them less viscose (thick) (or you can use a twin tank system, which starts an engine using mineral diesel and then uses waste energy heat to heat the biodiesel until it’s runny enough to go through the engine properly).
Virgin vegetable oils (VO) are expensive – and controversial, since it is essentially converting a food product into a fuel. There’s also wider environmental impacts to consider. But they’re readily available, high quality and can be converted into a reliable, consistent and high quality biodiesel.
Waste vegetable oils (WVO), from the catering industry, have a superior environmental profile and are cheaper. But the fragmented sources and the varying product quality make it harder to produce consistent and high quality fuel. The problem here is that although older diesel engines aren’t fussy about their fuel, modern high-tech engines are. And commercial vehicles have tighter emissions controls than the domestic fleet.
Biodiesel has a different emissions profile than mineral diesel, and emits more nitrous oxides (NOx, which causes problems with local air quality but is also a greenhouse gas), but new technology allows NOx to be removed from exhaust gases.
If the technical problems can be overcome (and they can) then converting bin lorries to run on biodiesel made from waste oil is cheaper and more environmentally friendly – so it looks like a simple decision. Biodiesel gives effectively the same mpg as mineral diesel, and if made from waste oils have an 85-90% reduction in CO2 over the lifecycle of the fuel.
However, even if we convert all of our waste vegetable oil into biodiesel, we’re still only looking at a few percent of our total diesel requirements here in the UK. Biodiesel isn’t going to solve all of our problems, but what it does do is start to break away from the mentality that fossil fuels are the only answer. Other alternative fuels (fuel crops that grow on otherwise non-productive land, algae and seaweed, and renewable energy in general) can then benefit from a more positive environment and increased investment and research.
After Ben's presentation there was a group activity, looking at the various stakeholders who would be involved in a decision to convert bin lorries to run on biodiesel – the environmental officers, fleet managers, vehicle managers, the public, local catering outlets, environmentalists, etc.
One of the main concerns is that using biodiesel voids the manufacturers warranty on the vehicle, especially if fuel cannot be manufactured to the European standard (which is tricky, from WVO). Ben's solution to this is to define a reachable standard and then find a third-party insurer to take on the warranty – which makes the conversion a no-risk choice for the local council.
However, there are only two vehicle manufacturers in this sector (Mercedes and Dennis Eagle), and so a large fleet manager would have considerable sway over them. And as waste collections are generally outsourced (to companies like Biffa and Grundon), if they could be brought on board then the process could be made considerably easier.
Here in Oxfordshire, biodiesel is available to the general public via Golden Fuels (http://www.goldenfuels.com), a well-established co-operative that collects waste oil for processing into biodiesel that is then sold to consumers and local businesses. ... Read this ...
the nef / Ecologist essay competition: What price carbon?
On hearing of the death while riding of one his more stubborn ideological opponents, the champion of evolutionary theory, T H Huxley, said that it was the first time that the man's head made contact with reality, and the experience had obviously proved fatal. Gordon Brown claims that the world needs "a new paradigm that moves the environmental challenge to the centre of policy", and yet, in spite of the fact that both the UK and the world as a whole are already in ecological debt due to overconsumption, he remains convinced that the global economy can double in size over the next twenty years.
A lot of faith is being put into carbon markets to tackle climate change. But the markets we do have, like the European Emissions Trading Scheme, are out-of-line with the carbon cuts that science tells us is necessary. In other words, without much more dramatic caps on emissions, we could end up trading ourselves over a global warming cliff. It's the paradox of environmental economics. Sometimes in well-intentioned attempts to put a price on natural resources, we can miss the bigger picture.
So, to connect our politicians with reality before it is too late, we've come up with a question. And, we'd like to know what you think. nef has teamed up with the Ecologist to run an essay competition. The question is:
"How do you price the extra tonne of carbon that, once burned, tips the balance
and triggers potentially catastrophic, irreversible global warming?"
All submissions must be under 1,000 words, submitted electronically to mark@theecologist.org and andrew.simms@neweconomics.org and be received by June 30th.
The winner will receive a copy of Andrew Simms' book, Ecological Debt: Global Warming and the Wealth of Nations, and will be considered for publication in the Ecologist.
... Read this ...
A lot of faith is being put into carbon markets to tackle climate change. But the markets we do have, like the European Emissions Trading Scheme, are out-of-line with the carbon cuts that science tells us is necessary. In other words, without much more dramatic caps on emissions, we could end up trading ourselves over a global warming cliff. It's the paradox of environmental economics. Sometimes in well-intentioned attempts to put a price on natural resources, we can miss the bigger picture.
So, to connect our politicians with reality before it is too late, we've come up with a question. And, we'd like to know what you think. nef has teamed up with the Ecologist to run an essay competition. The question is:
"How do you price the extra tonne of carbon that, once burned, tips the balance
and triggers potentially catastrophic, irreversible global warming?"
All submissions must be under 1,000 words, submitted electronically to mark@theecologist.org and andrew.simms@neweconomics.org and be received by June 30th.
The winner will receive a copy of Andrew Simms' book, Ecological Debt: Global Warming and the Wealth of Nations, and will be considered for publication in the Ecologist.
... Read this ...
National liftshare Day is coming - how much could you save?
National liftshare Day is the biggest car-sharing event of the year - a time to give it a try and see how much you could save - so make sure you have a sharer or two lined up for Tuesday 9 June. Last year, 16,000 new members signed up in June alone, dramatically increasing your likelihood of finding someone to share with.There are lots of ways to get involved and help spread the word:
* If you haven't already got a car-sharer or two, try running another search by logging onto your account at www.liftshare.com. Hundreds of people join the network every day, so there is every possibility that someone going your way has joined since you last logged on. And don't forget that you don't need a car to car-share; lots of drivers are happy to offer a lift in exchange for a contribution to fuel costs and some friendly company!
* Add an automated signature to your personal emails which encourages people to try car-sharing. We have created one you can download - just go to www.liftshare.com/sig.asp
* Encourage your friends, family and colleagues to give car-sharing a try on National liftshare Day by sending them an email telling them about the benefits;
* Suggest your employer does more to promote car-sharing in the work place. They can find out more about how we can help at www.liftshare.com/business.
According to the Drivers’ Alliance, the cost of using a car has risen in real terms by as much as 35% in the last six years. That’s on top of the financial pressures of the current recession and the rise in fuel duty of 2p per litre from September announced in the Chancellor's budget speech last week. Yet commuters who car-share every day often save many hundreds of pounds a year (such as these happy sharers!)
Keeping your profile up-to-date
You can update your profile with information such as whether you’re a smoker, whether you want to receive these occasional e-newsletters and whether you want email alerts - you can also change your contact details. You’ll find it all on your ‘My Settings’ page.
And don’t forget that you can personalise your profile by adding your photo.
Join us on Facebook and Twitter
Have you found us on Facebook yet? Keep in touch with events and news, and share your thoughts and photos, by becoming a fan of ‘liftshare - car-sharing network’!
And if you are Twittering... you can follow us at @liftshare_team.
Ever thought of walking or cycling to work?
If you do not live too far from work, you might have considered walking or cycling sometimes - but were maybe put off by the idea of doing it alone. Well now is the time to give it a try! This is Walk to Work Week (27 April-1 May) and Bike Week is from 13-21 June. You can use your liftshare account to do a search for a WalkBUDi or a BikeBUDi to keep you company.
You are invited to The Big Lunch!
The Big Lunch will involve millions of people sitting down to eat lunch at the same time - in their street, with their community, on Sunday 19 July.
Just as car-sharing is all about bringing individuals together, so is The Big Lunch. It's really easy to get involved; to find out how to organise a Big Lunch - and for tips, ideas and resources - just go to www.thebiglunch.com or call 020 7636 8152.
And finally... help us to help you to car-share!
The more members there are on the liftshare network, the more chances you have of finding more matches.
Stick a car sticker in your rear windscreen and you’ll be getting the message to countless people travelling the same way as you. Just send us a stamped addressed envelope to car-share stickers, liftshare, Butterfly Hall, Carvers Lane, Attleborough, Norfolk NR17 1AB, and we’ll send you 3 stickers at no cost.
Best wishes and happy car-sharing!
Everyone at liftshare ... Read this ...
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Veg bags?
Have you considered reducing your Carbon Foot Print with a nutritious, local, organic veg bag?
Tolhurst Organic Produce in South Oxfordshire, founded 30 years ago by Iain Tolhurst, a well known and inspiring figure within the organic movement, make a weekly delivery of freshly harvested, organic, seasonal vegetables (and fruit) to Central Abingdon. You cannot choose the precise contents of your bag (this keeps the price down) but you can add to it from the extras list of such items as potatoes, onions, carrots, and salad leaves when in season. You can have the bag on a regular or irregular basis. The prices are comparable to, or less than, super market non-organic / non-local veg. They come in 3 sizes.
They use a system of distribution that relies on dropping the produce to collection points* around the delivery area. Orders are placed with the reps, and produce collected from them. There are many reasons for doing this:
* It reduces the cost of delivery and gives better value for money.
* It reduces energy use and lowers their carbon footprint**.
* It allows for the efficient re-use of packaging. Customers are able to return their bags which are used over and over again
* It is a more friendly and informal way of buying veg than the supermarket
* It provides a local link to the farm and reduces their administration time
** A recent audit of Tolhurst Organic Produce by the University of Surrey found that they created just eight tonnes of carbon a year, 45% of which is from electricity to produce and distribute the veg to over 400 customers. This is the same annual carbon footprint as that of an average household which makes the business an amazing 90% more efficient than non-organic produce grown and delivered to the supermarket.
‘Tolly’ offers a fascinating, educational annual tour of the farm and crops to his customers.
*The collection point in Abingdon is in East Saint Helen Street. If you would like to try a bag please contact Susie Howard Tel: 533278 / email: susiehoward1@gmail.com
For more info please see their website: www.tolhurstorganic.co.uk ... Read this ...
Tolhurst Organic Produce in South Oxfordshire, founded 30 years ago by Iain Tolhurst, a well known and inspiring figure within the organic movement, make a weekly delivery of freshly harvested, organic, seasonal vegetables (and fruit) to Central Abingdon. You cannot choose the precise contents of your bag (this keeps the price down) but you can add to it from the extras list of such items as potatoes, onions, carrots, and salad leaves when in season. You can have the bag on a regular or irregular basis. The prices are comparable to, or less than, super market non-organic / non-local veg. They come in 3 sizes.
They use a system of distribution that relies on dropping the produce to collection points* around the delivery area. Orders are placed with the reps, and produce collected from them. There are many reasons for doing this:
* It reduces the cost of delivery and gives better value for money.
* It reduces energy use and lowers their carbon footprint**.
* It allows for the efficient re-use of packaging. Customers are able to return their bags which are used over and over again
* It is a more friendly and informal way of buying veg than the supermarket
* It provides a local link to the farm and reduces their administration time
** A recent audit of Tolhurst Organic Produce by the University of Surrey found that they created just eight tonnes of carbon a year, 45% of which is from electricity to produce and distribute the veg to over 400 customers. This is the same annual carbon footprint as that of an average household which makes the business an amazing 90% more efficient than non-organic produce grown and delivered to the supermarket.
‘Tolly’ offers a fascinating, educational annual tour of the farm and crops to his customers.
*The collection point in Abingdon is in East Saint Helen Street. If you would like to try a bag please contact Susie Howard Tel: 533278 / email: susiehoward1@gmail.com
For more info please see their website: www.tolhurstorganic.co.uk ... Read this ...
Monday, May 18, 2009
Challenge Cameron's (green) Credentials.
If you don't plan to see "The Age of Stupid" next Friday evening, do you want to go and challenge Cameron's green credentials? See below for how to get a ticket.
Nicola Blackwood, Conservative Candidate for Oxford West & Abingdon, invites you to attend a free 'Question and Answer' session with David Cameron MP, Leader of the Conservative Party, in Abingdon on Friday 22nd May.
It's a return to the old-style town hall meetings, where David Cameron answers questions from local residents - there are no scripts or planted questions.
CAMERON DIRECT gives you the chance to discover David Cameron's thoughts on issues that concern you.
Time: 1815hrs
Venue: Larkmead School, Faringdon Road ,
Abingdon , OX14 1RF
Date: Friday 22nd May 2009
To register for your free ticket please email:
camerondirect@oxfordshireconservatives.com
Everyone welcome - refreshments provided. ... Read this ...
Nicola Blackwood, Conservative Candidate for Oxford West & Abingdon, invites you to attend a free 'Question and Answer' session with David Cameron MP, Leader of the Conservative Party, in Abingdon on Friday 22nd May.
It's a return to the old-style town hall meetings, where David Cameron answers questions from local residents - there are no scripts or planted questions.
CAMERON DIRECT gives you the chance to discover David Cameron's thoughts on issues that concern you.
Time: 1815hrs
Venue: Larkmead School, Faringdon Road ,
Abingdon , OX14 1RF
Date: Friday 22nd May 2009
To register for your free ticket please email:
camerondirect@oxfordshireconservatives.com
Everyone welcome - refreshments provided. ... Read this ...
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