The first phase of the London Array, the world’s largest offshore wind farm, became operational in March (2013) in the Thames estuary. It’s a notable achievement. 175 turbines will power 470,000 homes, replacing 900,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. They will make a big contribution to meeting the government’s target to raise 15% of its… Continue reading
Browsing Category Environment
Bluebells – we love them, but do we really value them, and all our other nature too?
It was a quiet news morning in London on Monday, April 8, 2013. Just the sort of time for the newspapers and the broadcast media to pick up the publication of a very important report, concerning the whole of Britain’s land and natural resources. And then, boom. Mrs Thatcher’s death was announced at noon, and… Continue reading →
LEDs light the Rijksmuseum, and let us see Rembrandt in his true colours
You’ve heard of LEDs, the new lighting phenomenon, and, own up, you’re interested. But aren’t they terribly expensive? (They must be, as you keep seeing them on top of the range BMWs and Audis.) And isn’t their light too cold and white? But then again, don’t they use far less energy? It’s all so confusing…. Continue reading →
Tidal lagoon in Swansea could power 100,000 homes
Swansea has its second chance to lead the world. Now it’s up to the government? 208 years ago the city launched the world’s first passenger railway. In 2013 a consortium announced a £10m “investment offering” to fund its proposal to build a “tidal lagoon” in Swansea Bay, to produce enough energy to satisfy the domestic requirements of… Continue reading →
Sustainable fish – not what it says on the label
The BBC’s Stephen Evans was right to go after untrue labels of packets of fish – “Mislabelled fish slip into Europe’s menus”, April 2nd, 2013. The issue is fresh in the listener’s mind after the horsemeat scandal. (The Daily Mail ran a similar investigative story on fish in 2011.) There is a separate conservation point… Continue reading →
Air quality a health hazard in UK towns and cities: govt slow to act on traffic causes
This week the Guardian newspaper published a disturbing story about air-quality in London and other urban areas. There have been a lot of still, quiet weather days in London this month (March 2013) and that contributes to a buildup of airborne pollution. Much of that comes from diesel engines, in cars, taxis and commercial vehicles…. Continue reading →