New Visitor Centre Opened 1 May, 2010 This eco-friendly building is designed to blend into the landscape . Visitors will feel as though they are going into a grassy bank when entering the building. This low visual impact is further enhanced by a turf roof, created using flower-rich grassland turf from the site. The building is… Continue reading
Green Ghent goes vegetarian – weekly
In 2009 the Belgian city of Ghent, famous for its gastronomy, became the first city in the world to become vegetarian at least once a week. Ghent, one of Europe’s 370 “climate cities”, is making every Thursday a meat-free day, encouraging local people to turn to vegetables that day. This was a pioneering first step… Continue reading →
Election 2010: Party promises: Energy & environment – Chatham House's verdict
(From New Statesman, 16 April 2010) Election 2010: Party promises | Energy and environment – Chatham House’s verdict. photo credit: dhutchman Plenty of ideas, not many details The parties’ key messages on energy and the environment echo the wider focus of their respective campaigns. For Labour, only active government can shape the markets to prioritise… Continue reading →
Fruitcake of antiquity, studded with treasures
Syria is welcoming tourists back after years of isolation. Gareth was intrigued. He joined a tour through this wide land of ancient cities, deserts and mountains, oases and fertile valleys. His list of six includes the greatest Crusader castle, some fabulous desert ruins, a magnificent mosque and tables spread for a feast. Picture: Crac des… Continue reading →
"Plastiki" catamaran, made of plastic bottles, half way over Pacific.
The “Plastiki” catamaran, made of 12,000 plastic bottles, is now about half way across the Pacific, on its way from San Francisco to Sydney to spread awareness about pollution in the world’s oceans.They have reached the Great Pacific Garbage Patch – a sea of waste five times the size of the UK. Plastiki’s component water bottles are filled… Continue reading →
Is LED the future of street lighting?
Solar panel and LED (light emitting diode) technology is developing fast, with the promise of bright, low energy lights for inside and outside use. More efficient (and cheaper) LED lights are coming out of labs in China Japan and the US. We are beginning to hear claims such as “biggest lighting revolution since the invention of the modern… Continue reading →