Photovoltaic cells (for soalr panels) are made from a substance called polysilicon. This substance is actually in short supply at the moment which could lead to inferior solar panels using an alternative silicon compound.
More here ...
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
What's wrong with this picture.
If you have flash installed then take a look at this website, now I understand the sentiment, but using something that does possibly
3 miles to the gallon to promote it!
Does this seem strange to you, or is it just me? That is probably one of the most environmentally 'un-friendly' vehicles I know of, and in their own words to: 'raise awareness of environmental issues'! Can you say the word 'irony' Honda?
3 miles to the gallon to promote it!
Does this seem strange to you, or is it just me? That is probably one of the most environmentally 'un-friendly' vehicles I know of, and in their own words to: 'raise awareness of environmental issues'! Can you say the word 'irony' Honda?
Monday, February 19, 2007
Nuclear Plans Ruled Unlawful
The UK Government recently announced their support for continued nuclear development as the way forward for 'greener' energy, including the building of more power stations. This was after 'consultation' (I use that word loosely!) with the appropriate bodies, and looking at relevent 'facts' and figures etc.
This descision was opposed by many groups, including Greenpeace who
challenged the descision in court and got it overturned.
Sarah North, head of the Greenpeace nuclear campaign, said:
Result!
Read more here.
This descision was opposed by many groups, including Greenpeace who
challenged the descision in court and got it overturned.
Sarah North, head of the Greenpeace nuclear campaign, said:
"The government's so-called consultation on nuclear power was obviously a sham,
and we're pleased that the judge has agreed with us."
"The government completely failed to consult adequately and even kept relevant documents to themselves. They've now been forced back to the drawing board to
conduct a proper and lengthy review."
Result!
Read more here.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Environmental Courses for 2007
As usual, CAT (Centre for Alternative Technologies) have their 2007 course schedule up on their website. I'd urge anyone with an interest in the environment, sustainable builiding and technologies, or green living to go take a look and perhaps sign up for something that interests them. It is a fantastic way to learn something new, help your own understanding and environment, plus help support a great organisation.
Couses this year run from Febuary through to November and include:
http://www.cat.org.uk/
Couses this year run from Febuary through to November and include:
- Educating with the Eco-Footprint
- Heating with Wood
- Make your own Biodiesel
- The Whole House
- Wind Power
- Water Treatment, Conservation and Recycling
- Install and Test Domestic Photovoltaic Systems
- Working with Willow
- Solar Water Heating for Installers
- Energy Awareness
- Hemp and Lime Conference
- Convert your Engine to Vegetable Oil
- Solar Electric Systems
- Sewage Solutions
- The Economics of Sustainability
- Community Renewable Energy Schemes
- Biomass Conference
- Renewable Energy Systems
- Building with Straw
- Organic Gardening Weekend
- Plant Identification
- Install and Test Domestic Photovoltaic Systems
- Introduction to Renewables
- Third Sustainable Science Symposium
- Alternative Building Methods
- Earth Building
- Natural rendering - clay plaster
- Freshwater Biology
- Build Your Own Wind Turbine
http://www.cat.org.uk/
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Save energy ... change colour!
Earlier in the month I talked about software, and whether it could be environmentally friendly. Well, staying on a techie theme, here is an interesting article from WinBeta that was passed on to me by a friend regarding the colour of web pages of all things!
The example given uses Google, but it applies to all web pages, and to be honest I was amazed!
So what does happen when you do the math? Click here for the full article.
Now what if all web pages were black or dark in colour ... just think how much energy that could save!
The example given uses Google, but it applies to all web pages, and to be honest I was amazed!
An all white web page uses about 74 watts to display, while an all black page uses only 59 watts. See what happens when you do the math on Google's home page. Astounding.
So what does happen when you do the math? Click here for the full article.
Now what if all web pages were black or dark in colour ... just think how much energy that could save!
Monday, January 08, 2007
Can software be environmentally friendly?
Well, lets start off with a happy new year to you all!
I work in the IT industry, and have always had more than a passing interest in software ... or more precisely, free software. I think everybody loves something for nothing!
But what has this to do with being green, or environmentally friendly?
The answer to this can easily be seen by just walking around the software department of any large computer store ... PC World in the UK is a good example. You'll see row, upon row of big, bright colourful boxes, excessive plastic wrapping, and other eye catching gimmicks.
These boxes contain nothing more than a single disc, and perhaps a booklet or a manual, and yet most are large enough to hold perhaps 20, 30 discs or more!
It's rather sickening to think that the majority of this packaging will quickly end up in the bin as soon as the software gets into the home or office where it is going to be used. It is a dire waste of resources and materials, and all for the sake of self promotion.
It is intended to be big and brash so that the consumer is attracted to it. Unfortunately, its boldness is just such a waste. Even if you recycled most of the packaging, you still have the energy and resources expended to produce it, and spent again to recycle it.
This is where free software has the advantage. Unless it comes on a disc on the cover of a magazine, then you need to find it and download it from the Internet. The ecological advantage of this is now obvious - no waste from over ambitious packaging!
Now this is also true of commercial software or shareware that you can pay for online and download, but, as with most people, I prefer free when I can get it, and if I want a backup of the install file I just burn it to CD.
This brings us to our next problem - where to download from?
There are thousands of sites that you can download software from, the trouble is much of it is not free. It expires after 30 days, or useful features are crippled after a set length of time, or worse still, your computer gets infected with some malware, spyware or some other nasty! Another thing I have found in the past is that it's not always easy to find what you actually need, or there are a dozen titles that 'appear' to do what you want ... leaving you wondering which one do you download?
A good starting point for downloading safe free software is the Lessfuss Collection. It's free to join and has one perhaps two of any type of program considered to be the best of its kind currently available making your choice a lot easier. All of the programs are free to use forever, and they are also selected because they do not contain any adware, spyware, or malware.
Now, with broadband becoming more prevalent, I urge you all to download your software from now on instead of purchasing overly packaged 'boxed' versions. Yes, software can be green or at the very least 'greener' if you follow this advice. So get downloading, and leave those overly packed puddings on the shelf!
I work in the IT industry, and have always had more than a passing interest in software ... or more precisely, free software. I think everybody loves something for nothing!
But what has this to do with being green, or environmentally friendly?
The answer to this can easily be seen by just walking around the software department of any large computer store ... PC World in the UK is a good example. You'll see row, upon row of big, bright colourful boxes, excessive plastic wrapping, and other eye catching gimmicks.
These boxes contain nothing more than a single disc, and perhaps a booklet or a manual, and yet most are large enough to hold perhaps 20, 30 discs or more!
It's rather sickening to think that the majority of this packaging will quickly end up in the bin as soon as the software gets into the home or office where it is going to be used. It is a dire waste of resources and materials, and all for the sake of self promotion.
It is intended to be big and brash so that the consumer is attracted to it. Unfortunately, its boldness is just such a waste. Even if you recycled most of the packaging, you still have the energy and resources expended to produce it, and spent again to recycle it.
This is where free software has the advantage. Unless it comes on a disc on the cover of a magazine, then you need to find it and download it from the Internet. The ecological advantage of this is now obvious - no waste from over ambitious packaging!
Now this is also true of commercial software or shareware that you can pay for online and download, but, as with most people, I prefer free when I can get it, and if I want a backup of the install file I just burn it to CD.
This brings us to our next problem - where to download from?
There are thousands of sites that you can download software from, the trouble is much of it is not free. It expires after 30 days, or useful features are crippled after a set length of time, or worse still, your computer gets infected with some malware, spyware or some other nasty! Another thing I have found in the past is that it's not always easy to find what you actually need, or there are a dozen titles that 'appear' to do what you want ... leaving you wondering which one do you download?
A good starting point for downloading safe free software is the Lessfuss Collection. It's free to join and has one perhaps two of any type of program considered to be the best of its kind currently available making your choice a lot easier. All of the programs are free to use forever, and they are also selected because they do not contain any adware, spyware, or malware.
Now, with broadband becoming more prevalent, I urge you all to download your software from now on instead of purchasing overly packaged 'boxed' versions. Yes, software can be green or at the very least 'greener' if you follow this advice. So get downloading, and leave those overly packed puddings on the shelf!
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