environment - linking themes

[monkeytrousers]

From Steve Biddulph's comment on the world needing all of us to consume less to these fantastic article to this identity crisis

All together pretty much the defining issues of our age.

"The US imports a quarter of the oil it gets through, mainly from the Middle East, though it could cut that to zero if it raised the efficiency of its cars even roughly in line with the rest of the world. It seems we didn't go to war with Iraq just to protect oil in general. We went to safeguard the SUV in particular."

infinitely depressing.

Only because it seems insurmountable - what it demands is that we all do our little bit, and since we all have children, how can we refuse?

True MT, but are people prepared to do it?

I don't know Ruty. We are today encouraged to think of the here and now and not the future, which has been the undoing of us all in a way, our kids will be paying for our selfishness big time, that's for sure.

It's starting to come through in the press, but again it's easier to pick up a copy of Heat and look at some skinny shleb with cellulite and ponder those paradoxes rather than any more difficult ones such as how will we heat our homes in 5-10 years time. Somehow we've all forgotten how to be prudent and community minded, and the more we bury our heads in the sand the greater the horror (and real horror it will be) for our kids to deal with - and us I suppose in our old age. the kids will at least be strong for a time. we'll be weak and dependent on a state that has no resources - UNLESS we start demanding real changes, like the article says.

We really all need a slap in the face to wake us up to the reality of this. It's not going to go away.

Fennel's biofuel is a good start! I'll find the link.

it's a start

is that only available in Manchester MT? Will try to source it in Oxford. Edwina Currie on tV this morning, not very often i agree with what she says, but she was talking about the fact that the solar panels company she used to put solar panels on her roof have gone bankrupt - there is no govt assistance for companies like this. Why aren't new houses automatically fitted with solar panels, or at least high spec expensive ones? And our council have just scrapped their experiment with LPG buses because of cost, I am furious.

Yes at the mo, Ruty. They sent me these liks though retuelling map and biodiesel filling stations

Going to post a link to them on chat for any Manchester car drivers.

I work as an environmental consultant in Manchester and last week we secured a new waste stream of 50,000 tonnes of waste vegetable oil to be used to make biodiesel. Everybody is loving the idea and it will soon be everywhere I guarantee!

Brill Anchovies, lets hope so! mumsnet manchester eco links thread

Could we put pressure on councils to use biodiesel for public buses? Is there any movement [Green party, etc] already doing this? It would make sense, shame the govt doesn't seem interested.

i liked the LPG buses because they were much cleaner, but as LPG is still a fossil fuel it would make much more sense for buses to run on biodiesel, and they couldn't blame it on cost then, could they?

Manchester?s First Biodiesel Bus Route

Bullocks coaches join Manchester Van Hire, Emerge Recycling, Fairfield
Composting, Manchester Ring and Ride and many other small businesses and
individuals filling up at our garage - will you be joining them soon?

Manchester?s Oxford Road Link the No. 147 bus which runs between
Piccadilly Station and the Universities will be the first service to run
on biodiesel thanks to Green Gold Biodiesel, Bullocks Coaches, the
universities of Manchester and the Central NHS Trust.

Green Gold Biodiesel, the first garage in Manchester to provide biodiesel,
is providing all the fuel for the buses. They will run on a blend of 5%
biodiesel, and 95% normal diesel, reducing particulate emissions and
climate change gases, as well as helping the buses to run smoother and
quieter. Matt Favier from Green Gold Biodiesel says: "We are extremely
pleased to be helping this new service become a first in Manchester -
improving local air quality, fighting climate change and using less fossil
fuel, simply by using our unique forecourt on Fairfield Street."

Says Ian Goodwin, ?As we all know, public transport is more
environmentally friendly than taking private transport, so using biodiesel
makes it doubly so!?

interesting MT but why only 5% biodiesel?

Haven't a clue about the science Ruty. They're very approachable though

i'm going to ring the green party here and ask them if they are doing anything about it. They're supposed to be quite active round here but i'd be hard pressed to find any evidence.

The 5% thing is because, at present the engines will not run on 100% biodeisel. the technology will adapt as we use it more and more.

Love the fact that Tone wants GB to 'lead the way' on climate change and reducing emissions etc and then does fa about it. It is v difficult to find meaningful ways of being 'green' apart from the recycling route. I would love to have solar panels on our roof but living in a listed building puts the kibosh on that, same with having a mini turbine. I find it all a bit depressing and wonder what horrors my daughter will be facing when she is my age.

Tony Blair cares about the environment? Hmmm.

Tony Blair cares about the environment? Hmmm.