Growing Scepticism
6th February 2010
There has been an increase in the number of British people who are sceptical about climate change, a poll commissioned by BBC News has suggested.
It showed that 25% of those questioned did not think global warming was happening, an increase of 10% since a similar poll was conducted in November.
The percentage of respondents who said climate change was a reality had fallen from 83% in November to 75%.
The poll, based on a sample group of 1,001 adults, was conducted by Populus.
The findings, based on interviews carried out on 3-4 February, show that only 26% of people think "climate change is happening and is now established as largely man-made", only 1% more than those who think there is no global warming.
In November 2009, a similar poll by Populus - commissioned by the Times newspaper - showed that 41% agreed that climate change was happening and it was largely the result of human activities.
The latest finding leaves the UK in the bizarre situation that as global temperatures rise, the population is increasingly unwilling to believe that they are.
Comment - "Dealing with Scepticism" by Editor Colin Inman
Battery Recycling -
New Law
4th February 2010
Following a European directive, it is now a legal requirement for shops selling more than a pack of batteries a day to provide recycling facilities.
“This new legislation will make it easier for consumers to do the right thing whilst ensuring retailers fulfil their part of the bargain,” Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for the Environment told Eco.
“Old batteries can cause harm to the environment when they are not recycled. The new approach to disposal of batteries will help to reduce the number of batteries that now end up in landfill.”
Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Robert Dyas, Dixon’s, Curry’s and PC World are among many shops which will now be offering free battery recycling. Some will use the directive as an opportunity to boast their green credentials, when in fact it is a move they have been forced into, after a voluntary approach has failed.
The change will bring Britain into line with many mainland European countries, where recycling boxes for batteries have been a common sight in shops for years.
The Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009 is the latest attempt, following the Landfill and WEE EU directives, to transform Britain into a greener society which dumps fewer materials.
It incorporates into British law the 2006 EU Batteries directive, which set a series of targets for the recycling of portable batteries used to power toys, torches and other gadgets. From the current 3 per cent, the UK will have to recycle 25 per cent of used batteries by 2012 and 45 per cent by 2016.
Any high street or online retailer selling more than 32kg of batteries a year, the equivalent of one pack of 4 AA batteries a day, will have to provide recycling bins or facilities.
Increasing recycling will have the added benefit of cutting greenhouse gases linked to battery production, says theDepartment for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), which estimates that hitting the 2016 target could save 12,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
Britons use a staggering 600 million batteries every year – an average of 21 per household, in numerous appliances like ipods, radios, torches, and toys. However the UK has a dismal record in recycling them. The overwhelming majority of batteries, around 97 per cent, are currently thrown into domestic bins and end up in landfill, where their toxic metals including lead, cadmium and mercury leach out into the ground and pollute water courses.
Older and Greener
30th January 2010
A year-long study conducted by Age Concern and Help the Aged, and energy company E.ON, has revealed the UK’s over-60s as the nation’s surprise energy saving pioneers, with 91% (2) of the age group helping the environment simply by being switched on about energy efficiency.
Furthermore, two thirds (66%) of over-60s cite ‘sensible use of energy in the home’ as one of their top energy concerns and a fifth (20%) have considered green technologies (e.g. solar panels or wind turbines) to reduce their impact on the environment.
The research findings, launched today, show that older peoples’ no-nonsense approach to waste is key to their success in saving energy and cash without scrimping on comfort.
As well as having common-sense energy saving habits, their waste-not-want-not upbringing has also contributed, with ‘not being wasteful’ (34%) their most important reason for being energy efficient, followed by ‘using energy more sensibly’ (20%) and ‘saving money’ (17%).
The top five energy saving actions practiced by over 60s were:
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Only turning on lights when they need to use them (91%)
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Buying mostly energy efficient light bulbs (84%)
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Boiling only enough water in a kettle for what they need (83%)
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Turning electrical appliances off at the mains, instead of leaving them on standby (70%)
- Installing insulation to improve heat retention (65%)
For retired Tina Watkin, 65, from Bradford who lives on Pension Credit, being energy efficient is just a good habit:
“I never leave lights on when I’m not in a room, and I use energy efficient light bulbs. I also try not to waste water. I never use half loads in the washing machine and when I've finished washing up, I use the dishwater to wash the car or wheelie bins and sometimes to water the flowers.”
Andrew Harrop, Head of Public Policy for Age Concern and Help the Aged said:
“It’s great news that such a high number of older people are taking positive steps to become energy efficient. Many of us would do well to take our lead from older people – many of whom are clearly streets ahead when it comes to keeping waste to a minimum.
“It’s interestingly that the research shows for many it is an engrained desire not to be wasteful that is driving their good energy efficient habits.”
Amy Cross, from E.ON’s Community Relations team, told Eco:
“As an energy company, we’re always exploring ways to give people of all ages the support and tools they need to save energy, reduce their bills and protect the environment too.
“This research has shown that it doesn’t matter what your motivations are, you can still do a lot to reduce your impact on the environment and your bills. It’s really nice to see that many older people are already leading the way in being energy efficient; with more than 90% naturally doing the little things that make a really big difference, we could all really learn a thing or two from them.”
Greens Battle Bus
26th January 2010
Greens call for cheaper bus fares
The Green Party of England and Wales has urged local authorities across the UK to take advantage of new legislation and cut bus fares.
An amendment to the Local Transport Act of 2008 which came into force this month enables local governments to create Quality Contract Schemes (QCS). Such provisions allow authorities the power to instate London style quality control over service provision including fares, timings and routes.
Caroline Lucas, Leader of the Green Party, told Eco:
"Greens welcome amendments to the law that allow for Quality Contract Schemes. We must make sure buses are a financially viable alternative to cars. While such provisions give local authorities a fantastic opportunity to move ahead with plans to reduce fares, the current government has done little to make buses an attractive option.
"In the past decade the cost of motoring has fallen by 13% in real terms whilst bus fares have risen by 17%, and funding for buses is poor compared to many of our European neighbours. In addition 53% of people would take the bus to work if the service was better. Cutting bus fares is a sure fire way of easing congestion and pollution on city roads. The QCS's present a real chance to make this happen."
However the optimism over QCS's may be short lived. Exponents of the scheme have warned that local authorities must act quickly after reports surfaced that a Conservative government would repeal the part of the act that allows for QCS's in favour of a more competitive bus industry.
A spokesperson for the CBT (Campaign for Better Transport) said:
"Shadow Transport minister Stephen Hammond wants to scrap Quality Contracts. We advise Quality Contracts should thus be quickly approved, and that the Department should play an active role in encouraging and supporting local transport authorities who want to use these new powers. Currently bus services in the UK receive some of the lowest funding in Europe. A better funded and attractive bus system would do a good deal to lower carbon emissions and create more pleasant city environments."
Legal Eagles
Challenge Government
Legal warning to Government over energy policy statements
26th January 2010
Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband has been warned that the Government could face a judicial review unless its "fundamentally flawed" draft planning policies on major energy infrastructure are significantly changed.
Friends of the Earth's legal department has written to Mr Miliband raising a number of concerns about the Government's draft Energy National Policy Statements (NPSs), which will set the basis for individual planning decisions on major energy projects by the new Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) from March onwards.
The flaws in the Energy NPSs identified by Friends of the Earth include:
• Telling the IPC not to consider the carbon impacts of applications that come before it. The NPS should require the IPC and Committee on Climate Change to work together to ensure the UK's electricity sector decarbonises quickly, and in line with the UK's carbon budgets;
• Wrongly instructing the IPC to assume that all forms of energy infrastructure are ‘needed' - which threatens to lock the UK into high carbon energy infrastructure;
• Failing to follow European legal requirements on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA);
• Failing to consult properly.
Friends of the Earth's Executive Director Andy Atkins told Eco:
"The Government's draft National Planning Statements on energy are fundamentally flawed.
"The consultation was insufficient, the alternatives were inadequately explored, and the policies are poorly justified.
"And because they fail to assess the carbon impact that the proposed development will have they threaten to undermine UK Carbon Budgets.
"Friends of the Earth has written to Ed Miliband warning him that these proposals are probably unlawful and could lead to a challenge in the courts."
Friends of the Earth also said that the NPSs fail to set out an integrated framework for sustainable infrastructure development.
Today's TV Listings
CONTENTS - INSIDE ECO
The Green Network
Comment Section Features: Good to be back - Comment - Page 1
Measure your ecological footprint - Comment - Page 1
The failure of democracy Comment - page 2
When less means more - Comment -page 3
Copenhagen Climate Change Conference editorial- Comment - page 4
Things they said - words of wisdom - Comment page 5
Time for a low Carb diet - Comment - page 6
Chew Magna - Britain's Greenest Village?- Comment - page 7
Time Management for Downshifters - Sally Lever- Comment - page 7
A Fresh Start for The Green Party -Comment page 8
Science Section Features
12 ways to reduce your carbon footprint -
A car that runs on air- Science - page 1
What is the Gaia Hypothesis? - Science page 2
What is a meme, and how can it save the world? - Science - page 3
The science of global warming and the greenhouse effect - Science - page 4
Beavers back in Britain - Science page 5
Record heat raises climate fears/Web 2.0 - Science section 6
Smart direction for green ideas - Science page 7
Renewable energy - Science page 8
Business Section Features
The New Man - Business page 1
Cut your fuel bill and save the planet - Business page 2
Ethical matters - A Guide to Green Investment - Business page 3
Oil and trouble - Business page 4
Green mobile phone company launched; Body Shop news - Business page 5
M&S leads the way; The Bankruptcy Boom- Business page 6
Do your food shopping and bank online- Business page 6
New Year, New Job - Business page 7
Job Vacancies - Business page 7
Green turns gold - Business - page 8
Society Section Features
Health - Society page 1
Transport - Society page 2
Education - Society page 3
Sustainable development - Society page 4
Housing and regeneration - Society page 5
Parents - Society page 6
Young people - Society page 7
Campaign news & Life Coaching- Society page 8
Recreation Features
Places to Visit - Recreation page 1
Events - Recreation page 2
Gardening - Recreation page 3
"How green are you?" quiz. Recreation page 3
Food, Gardening, and Hot Websites -Recreation page 3
Green Shopping Guide - Recreation page 4
Book Reviews - Recreation page 5
Film Reviews - Recreation page 6
Music - Recreation page 7
General Entertainment - Recreation page 8
Talk Features
Your feedback about Eco - Talk page 1
Talking point: Nuclear Power - Talk page 2
Letters archive- Talk page 3
Current Letters Talk page 4
Get it right! - More feedback - Talk page 5
A Day in the Life of a Sea Shepherd Volunteer - Talk page 6
News from the Blogosphere - Talk page 7
In the papers -Talk page 8