Whats going on in the UK and around the world
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Since
Water is 2/3 of our planet, its hard to imagine that we could ever run out
however only 3% of that water is fresh meaning vast majority of it is
inaccessible for human use. So are we going to run out of water? As a result,
water scarcity is a pressing and important issue for much of the global
population and with all the droughts that are happening around the world,
they're reducing the amount of fresh water available for everyone The United
Nations sees water scarcity as “scarcity in availability due to the physical
shortage, or scarcity in access due to the failure of institutions to ensure a
regular supply or due to a lack of adequate infrastructure.”
Produced by Philip M Russell
Ltd
As
the next wave of heat is hitting Europe, Drought are being declared all over
and we are feeling the impact , directly through TUB's (AKA hosepipe bans) or
indirectly like potential winter food shortages To understand how a drought can
cause food shortages we need to an analogy as falling row of dominos. Now
imagine if the first domino might be farmers’ corn crops dying. The second
domino might be that the farmers would not have money to buy a new tractor from
the dealer in town. The dealer would then lose money, which would be the third
domino. If enough farmers lose their corn crops, the dealership might not be
able to employ as many people or may even have to close down—the fourth domino.
The dealership closing would cause many more impacts in the community. The
farmers’ crops dying would be the “direct” impact of drought. The dealer losing
money and all of the other impacts would be the “indirect” impacts of drought.
Produced by Philip M Russell
Ltd
A new report from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) has sent press in panic with doom and gloom forecasts. the report talks about the “four horsemen” of climate change with new names such as famine and undernutrition, extreme weather events, conflict, and vector-borne diseases.
According to the international team of researchers, they propose need for a new research agenda to look into bad-to-worst-case scenarios ranging from a loss of 10% of the global population to eventual human extinction. (SCARY STUFF)
By analysing the mechanisms for these extreme consequences, the international team want to help galvanize action, improve resilience, and inform policy, including emergency responses to better prepare our society and countries around the world.#watersworthsaving
Produced by Philip M Russell
Ltd
Over the course of this week, water companies published their drought plans in an effort to say that
"water is worth saving" but that there is no need to panic over water scarcity. because most companies need to do this year since its required by law every five years to produce and publish a drought plan, and with the ongoing warm weather in much of the country follows the driest winter and spring since the 1970s, these drought plans have made it into the news. then on Tuesday 26 of July, the Environment Agency convened the National Drought Group. The group discussed the current situation and agreed actions to protect water resources and the environment in the UK in the weeks ahead.
So what is a drought? well there isn't a set definition but this one is quite good.
Droughts are natural events that happen when there are extended periods of low rainfall that create a shortage of water for people, the environment, agriculture or industry. However, every drought is different – in terms of the area they affect, how long and severe they are, and the impact they have on customers, communities, businesses and the environment. With such uncertainty, it is important that we make plans to manage drought, whatever the weather.
National Drought Group is made up of senior decision makers from Environment Agency, government, water companies, Water UK, the NFU and environmental protection groups including the Angling Trust and Rivers Trust. #watersworthsaving
Produced by Philip M Russell
Ltd
So we survived the heatwave. For the first time ever the UK managed above 40°C in many parts, and we experience many tropical nights (nights that are above 20°C) but Homes in UK not designed for the heat. So what action can be taken, What can be done about new homes being built
We had wildfires burning out homes. 60 properties damaged in the UK with 41of those properties destroyed in fires in London.
The record is now held at Coningsby in eastern England at 40.3°, a record the town probably doesn't want. The trains couldn't cope because the rails are not set to cope with more than 35°C
It's not just us. India, France, Spain recorded a staggering 42-3°C making those countries some of the hottest places on Earth. The record is 56.7 °C recorded in 1913 in death valley
We talk about; What are we going to do about this? the fact that Climate change has happened. It will continue to get worse
Produced by Philip M Russell
Ltd
Across the globe, countries such as Japan, Italy, Norway, Iran and Finland are breaking heat records as a swing of heat waves makes life very difficult. One question people keep asking is are they occuring more often?
Lets start to answer that by stating what is a heat wave. simply put it is a system of high atmospheric pressure moves into an area and lasts two or more days.
Climate change is making these occur more often and increasing the intensity of these high pressure systems changing the local climate in many places. Causing Droughts and wild fires in places that don't usually have them causing issues of having more problems for emergency services and other bodys.
What Precautions should you take
1) Drink plenty of water
2) Cool your house be having a through draught
3) Use sunscreen if you go out
4) Wear a wide brimmed hat.
5) Seek shade- Its 40C in the shade Much more in the Sun
6) Be near a body of water if you can
Produced by Philip M Russell
Ltd
Who should set the climate targets? Should it be, the scientists, the people, the governments? Philip and Paul open this can of worms and try to decide which is best.
Climate targets are the limits that scientists and policymakers have set in plans to combat climate change.
These targets can take different forms, from goals for limiting the Earth’s warming to hard caps on greenhouse gas emissions, and but they can be set really by anyone, however they should follow a plan.
Produced by Philip M Russell
Ltd
The UK has a problem, its known as water scarcity. A survey of 2,000 Brits revealing that water consumption is low down on the priority agenda for environmental concerns, while Sir James Bevan chief of the Environment agency warns that the Lack of water presents ‘existential’ threat to our climate will be felt for decades if we dont do something about it.
This Summer, UK water companies have joined forces again to launch Water’s Worth Saving,(https://watersworthsaving.org.uk/) a national campaign encouraging the public to make every drop count this summer.
Produced by Philip M Russell
Ltd
Everything is so bad, the climate change is causing fires and floods and what the point of doing anything. If I turn down the heating a bit, if I use an electric car - how's that going to change anything?
The honest answer is if I do all these changes it won't change anything but what are the consequences of doing nothing?
Doing nothing isn't an option. Doing nothing will cost far more than doing something.
Russia's special operation on Ukraine is devastating for the country and having effects on Europe with them being denied oil and gas but this can only push the development of renewable technology further unless the countries want to develop more coal.
It's not our problem . One world yes it is.
Produced by Philip M Russell
Ltd
What is solar punk? Putting solar panels on the roof is not solar punk, It’s being one with nature It’s a different way of thinking. It’s not where they were made from, but how to make them even greener and cleaner. Using grey water, creating new environments. Using some out of the box thinking. Why are our wind turbines not made of wood?. Why not float them above the houses. What not live where the resources are rather than moving the resources. Data centre running off solar energy. Build a data centre in Iceland. Make a tropical environment above to use up the Heat.
Produced by Philip M Russell
Ltd
The long weekend in the UK to celebrate the Queens Platinum Jubilee was truly wonderous. There were street parties, parades, events put on up and down the country. Even my little town did its bit with a funfair, a stage and live band in the park and after the beacon had been lit, fireworks to finish. But as we walked away the field was littered with rubbish. Bottles, plastic cups, the remains of half eaten food - just abandoned on the field. The bins were no better. There were full to over flowing many times over. Earlier in the evening I had seen someone try to empty them. There was a team going around picking up the litter as they found it, but the crowd was too big and their number was too small. Many people talk about climate change and recycling but for some of the population the message has yet to get through.
Produced by Philip M Russell
Ltd
There are loads of companies willing to sell solar panels to home owners, but with no feed in tariff does it make sense to install panels on the roof. The costs of electricity and gas are soaring so perhaps any difference will be worthwhile. The cost of panels has dropped over the years but is now rising again. The power of the panels has increased. So does it make sense to install panels? Would you do better to invest in air source heating or another technology. Solar water works really well and we have found a very quick return on our investment, using little or no gas to heat the hot water from March to October and this is really worth it. Solar voltaic - on a good day we make all the electricity we use during the daylight hours minus the first and last one when the sum is too low. But of course at night the system doesn't work and that is where batteries can come in, but their high cost and short life span mean they need to be replaced currently more or less once you have had them for 10 years or so. Some are better but these are more expensive.
Produced by Philip M Russell
Ltd
It appears that we are not doing enough so should we just give up.
Some countries won't play, others make empty promises.
I try to do my bit but nobody else does so what is the point?
It won't make much difference to me - I'm old it's someone else's problem.
The kids talk all about doing this and that, but they still use loads of power on their phones and computers wasting more than they are saving.
The world is going to pot and I can't do anything about it.
Little differences make a big change everyone needs to do their bit but what is the incentive - climate change is happening but it won't happen to me
If I had been better would my house still have got/ hit by a tornado, burnt out, flooded.
These are just some of the questions and statements made by people in the wake of climate change.
Produced by Philip M Russell
Ltd
With fuel prices soaring, WE need a new fuel source, WE need a Green Hydrogen Revolution. Electrification cannot get us to net zero. So many things require natural gas; fertilisers, Plastics, and other essential chemicals. But we can replace Natural gas with Hydrogen.
8 months ago we talked about the Many colours of Hydrogen, and since then the Government has formed a Hydrogen working group, a group that is trying to Accelerate the Green Hydrogen Revolution.
Their latest report, by RENEWABLE UK states that this Green Hydrogen Revolution will "solve the challenge of integrating renewables into our energy system through, for example, the provision of system balancing services, seasonal storage and by minimising curtailment of renewables" Momentum for this Green Hydrogen Revolution is gathering worldwide as an increasing number of stakeholders view it as a critical component of future energy systems. Over 40 countries (including the EU27) have hydrogen strategies, and at least 13 have targets specific to green hydrogen. More recently, the European Commission outlined its plan to achieve EU independence from Russian fossil fuels by quadrupling its 2030 target to 20.6Mt of green hydrogen, which will require well in excess of 100GW of both electrolyser and renewable generation capacity.
Produced by Philip M Russell
Ltd
A
few days ago the UK Met Office researchers said that there's now around a
fifty-fifty chance that the worlds climate will warm by more than 1.5C over the
next five years. Under the Paris climate agreement, which committed the world
to keeping the rise in global temperatures well below 2C while pursuing efforts
keep them under 1.5C. The UK and Egypt as part of their role as president of
COP brought more than 40 countries together this week to drive implementation
of countries climate commitments. However from COP26 we know some countries
commitments are weak, like Australia's. Billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes, the
co-founder of software company Atlassian, has been attempting to close an
Australian coal mine operated by Australia’s biggest polluter, the energy
utility AGL. The Australia government has blocked the take over by saying the
coal mine is a strategic asset. Just a few nights ago the billionaire hired
brokers to stand in the market late Monday to snap up an 11.28% voting stake,
which may be enough to thwart the demerger at the upcoming shareholder meeting
in June. At least someone is trying to do something about our climate, because
researchers has found that the whole aviation industry has failed to achieve
any of their climate targets, that by the way they set themselves as
'reasonable' targets.
Produced by Philip M Russell
Ltd
28/04/2022
As international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions stall, schemes to slow global warming using fantastical technologies once dismissed as a sideshow are getting serious consideration
“I have seen all kinds of proposals,” said James Fleming, author of “Fixing the Sky: The Checkered History of Weather and Climate Control” and a member of the National Academy geo-engineering committee.
“People are getting more and more desperate about climate change,” he said. “I think it is quite probable we will get the OK to do this.”
So what are these ideas:
Aerosol injection,
Spraying aerosols high up into the stratosphere is currently the most talked-about form of SRM. The technique, which is known as “stratospheric aerosol injection”, could cool the planet in a similar way to a large volcanic eruption.
Marine cloud brightening,
In theory, this could involve using ships to spray saltwater into the clouds above the sea.
Once airborne, the salt particles would act as “cloud condensation nuclei”, meaning they would facilitate the condensation of water vapour into liquid. As more water droplets are created, clouds would appear larger and brighter.
Ocean mirror,
A less well-known option for limiting the effects of sunlight would be to use an “ocean mirror”. In theory, this would involve using a fleet of sea vessels to churn up millions of tiny microbubbles on the ocean surface.
This seafoam would reflect away sunlight, cooling the planet, explains Prof Julian Evans, an emeritus professor in materials science from University College London.
Cloud thinning,
Another less-explored option for reducing the effects of sunlight at the Earth’s surface would be to “remove” cirrus clouds from the atmosphere.
Cirrus clouds are thin, wispy clouds made of ice crystals, which form at high altitudes. The clouds reflect away some sunlight, but also absorb large amounts of long-wave radiation – meaning that, on balance, they warm the planet.
Space sunshades
The final technology discussed by scientists involves sending a giant mirror – or fleet of mirrors – into orbit in order to reflect away more sunlight from the Earth.
The size of the mirror would determine how much sunlight it could reflect back towards space and, therefore, its cooling effect, says Prof Govindasamy Bala, from the Divecha Centre for Climate Change at the Indian Institute of Science.
Produced by Philip M Russell
Ltd
07/05/2022
The
world is racing towards an electric vehicle (EV) rebirth because of issues
ranging from environmental concerns to the high fluctuating oil prices that
continue to push consumers toward alternatives to combustion engines. Today’s
Electric Cars, however, is beyond anything nineteenth century drivers could
imagine. From intelligent driving to proactive service and remote vehicle
access, these new electrics cars can offer the safety and convenience today’s
consumers crave. To push drivers toward “plugging in,” however, automakers must
better educate them, as well as offer a uniquely “connected” driving
experience. Equally important, they must embrace innovative business models and
partnerships.
Produced by Philip M Russell
Ltd
22/04/2022
Last earth day, We decided to do something for the environment! but we though we could do more than just do our bit of recycling, because MORE needs to be done, so we set our sights on championing new Green idea, and how to get more people doing more green things, because global action is required NOW! This year, Earth Day 2022 calls on everyone to divest from unsustainable investments, and support eco-conscious brands and products to help send a clear message to corporations that consumers mean business.
Produced by Philip M Russell
Ltd
This
week sparked a new wave of Environmental activism. The Group's idea is that,
you switch off all of your electrical appliances, lights, or switch off at the
breakers for 10 minutes, this effectively creates a 10 minute boycott of the
privatised portions of our power supply, losing them up to an estimated £9m in
revenue. this campaign is called the #bigpoweroff It happened on the 10th of
April and is going to happen on the 16th of April at 7pm. this happened in
Spain in 2019 and managed to cause lot of brown out leaving the electricity
companies offer millions in concessions because they were in breach of their
contracts of not supplying electricity to their customers. the last one didn't
do much, we'll see what happens this weekend.
Produced by Philip M Russell
Ltd
The
IPCC Report came out a few days ago about mitigating the effects of climate
change. The IPCC third report looks at over the 2010 - 2020 period and makes
projections of what needs to be done to prevent global warming and to limit the
climate to 1.5 degrees of warming. In the last decade the world has managed to
curb some critical items. CO2 emissions rose 54% from the millennium. Last 10
years only a 24% increase. So have managed to reduce the real amount of
emissions by a third Between 2000 -2010 worldwide it was proposed that the
number of coal plants to be built was 855. In the decade 2010-2020 of the 855
coal power stations to be built, only 189 were actually built and the rest
cancelled. The reason for this is that Coal is now much more expensive to burn
because of increased Mining and shipping costs. The price of renewables too has
dropped. It is now cheaper to build a wind farm than a power station with the
same power output. But in addition to this a coal power station will have the
cost of the coal to power it to be supplied and the cost of running a wind
turbine is just maintenance. The wind farm only produces power on windy days
whereas the coal power station can produce power all the time. But installing
more wind farms in different locations means that wind is more or less
guaranteed. This sign could hopefully mean the demise of the coal power station
within a few years.
Produced by Philip M Russell
Ltd
On the 1st of April, there will be No vat on energy saving materials such as solar panel installation, heat pumps it the UK. So in this episode we answer is this the right time to invest in renewable energy for your home! But beware the small print - this new scheme only covers new systems, not so much addons to current ones!
There are new types of solar panels coming to the market, that are both solar thermal and photovoltaic. These keep the panels cooler in summer and increase the efficiency.
With the price of Gas going up solar thermal can really effectively cut the hot water bills in the spring, summer and autumn.
Produced by Philip M Russell
Ltd
25/03/2022
In this Jubilee Year the Queen started Queens Green Canopy which is to Plant a tree for the Jubilee during the months Oct '21 - Mar 22' and then Oct '22 - Mar '23 Tree planting seasons
The Jubilee started 2nd February but major Celebrations take place from 2nd June with Street parties and other celebrations
Ive seen a few jubilees
Silver Jubilee 1977 at Uni studying for exams
Golden Jubilee 2002
Diamond Jubilee 2012
Platinum Jubilee 2022 6th Feb
whereas Paul has only seen from the millennium.
Recycling is ok but what
else can you do? Buy Green energy -
fuel prices are going up. Choose what you buy
and how it is packaged. Holidays Home or
abroad? Cars is electric the
only way to go? Could you do a car share?
Lifestyle can you
change this? Fitter healthier Gym - or walking. Take a bag with you when you go
walking collect rubbish
Produced by Philip M Russell
Ltd
17/03/2022
What does the report
say?
The warnings make
for grim reading.
3.5 billion people
are highly vulnerable to climate impacts and half the world’s population
suffers severe water shortages at some point each year. One in three people are
exposed to deadly heat stress, and this is projected to increase to 50% to 75%
by the end of the century.
Half a million more
people are at risk of serious flooding every year, and a billion living on
coasts will be exposed by 2050. Rising temperatures and rainfall are increasing
the spread of diseases in people, such as dengue fever, and in crops, livestock
and wildlife.
Even if the world
keeps heating below 1.6C by 2100 – and we are already at 1.1C – then 8% of
today’s farmland will become climatically unsuitable, just after the global
population has peaked above 9 billion. Severe stunting could affect 1 million
children in Africa alone. If global heating continues and little adaptation is
put in place, 183 million more people are projected to go hungry by 2050.
The ability to
produce food relies on the water, soils and pollination provided by a healthy
natural world, and the report said protection of wild places and wildlife is
fundamental to coping with the climate crisis. But animals and plants are being
exposed to climatic conditions not experienced for tens of thousands of years.
Half of the studied species have already been forced to move and many face
extinction.
Maintaining the
resilience of nature at a global scale depends on the conservation of 30% to
50% of Earth’s land, freshwater and oceans, the IPCC report said. Today, less
than 15% of land, 21% of freshwater and 8% of oceans are protected areas, and
some regions, like the Amazon, have switched from storing carbon to emitting
it.
Produced by Philip M Russell
Ltd
10/03/2022
At Cop 26 all countries agreed to make changes to phase out fossils fuel and to say no to gas and oil, but Putin with his invasion in Ukraine has put a stop to this. simply saying No to Russian Gas is not a big problem in the the UK and USA due to only using a small amount of Russian gas however some of Europe countries are using a huge amount of gas there is a significant problem. The EU gets roughly 40% of its gas from Russia: According to figure from research group Transport & Environment, this dependence costs around $118m a day.
We can’t stop it immediately because we need to power to drive our industry. But paying for all this gas and oil is powering Russia’s army
So what are the alternatives.
Going Totally green much, much faster than planned by building more wind turbines and nuclear power stations. - a good idea but very slow -it will still take years to complete even at a much accelerated pace.
Buying the oil and gas from elsewhere - and alternative but the idea of the pipeline was to speed up the delivery process rather than shipping the gas in boats which isn’t really practical.
Looking for oil and gas in the North Sea, where the UK knows there is a an oilfield - This still will take time and money and goes against climate change policies.
Fracking - really frowned upon because of the damage it may cause.
simply as people to use less thus reducing our reliance on Gas. Now in the UK this is possible but not in Europe because of their heavy reliance.
If we continue to upset Putin with sanctions he might just cut off the gas and Europe will be plunged into a state of little or no power.
Gas and Oil are used for other things, not just making power but the chemical industry is very reliant on Oil for its products. We are also seeing non Russian oil companies leaving the Russian oil cartels, like Shell and BP.
We #standwithukraine #RussianGas #ukraine
Produced by Philip M Russell
Ltd
4/03/2022
When
COP26 Happened in October, a survey to place asking questions about their
attitudes climate change, this question has been asked for the last few years
and we can see how it is changing over time. Attitudes have been changing due
to more education about climate change. In this podcast about how attitudes
have changed about climate change, we explore how the use of simple messaging
can change people attitudes and re-education of the population is having a
large impact on climate change.
Produced by Philip M Russell
Ltd
25/02/2022
We
live in a throwaway society, a place where businesses products have Planned
Obsolescence built into them. This all started in 1924, representatives of the
world's leading lightbulb manufacturers formed Phoebus, a cartel, that fixed
the average life of an incandescent bulb at 1,000 hours, ensuring that people
would have to regularly buy bulbs and keep the manufacturers in business. Now
this has moved into LED Light bulbs, building a short lifetime into a long
lifetime product to generate more money for an industry. With the advancement
of technology in our society creates the desire for convenience in our
consumption is another waste and pollution contributor. A large part of this
problem stems from products being overly packaged. Produced by Philip M Russell
Ltd
18/02/2022
The Winter Olympics
of 2022 are nearly over, in this weeks podcast, Paul and Philip look at the
sustainability at Winter Olympics 2022.
With the Beijing
Winter Olympics using 100% artificial snow, a thing that could become the new
norm as the planet heats up due to climate change.
It is estimated that
49 million gallons of water have been used to make the artificial snow for the
2022 Games, despite Beijing being one of the most water-scarce cities in the
world.
Beijing wrote a sustainability report for the Games last
year, it said it would use renewable energy for the venues and recycle water
resources.
It said: “We shall
give priority to ecological and resource conservation, environmental
friendliness, and contribute to a beautiful environment.”
10/02/2022
The Question
"why are cars bad for the environment" is very simple, they burn
fossil fuels and making them creates emissions! however, just because old cars
have a poor reputation for being “gas guzzlers” which makes them bad for the
environment. However, a surprising new study reveals trading in your old car
for a brand new electric vehicle may actually be doing more harm than good.
Researchers in Japan
say choosing to keep and drive your older cars longer leads to fewer emissions
entering the environment.
And whereas shopping
for new cars to be a process of comparing different brands and models, now you
also have to choose whether you want one you can fill up at the gas station –
or plug into the wall.
On the one hand,
purchasing second hand cars, avoids all of the carbon emissions and raw
materials needed to make a new one, although the fuel-economy might not be on
par with today’s standards – not to mention the extra servicing and
maintenance.
In this episode of
Going green, Paul and Philip discuss what has happened in Paris, France, and
why and how the congestion charge helps get cars off the road.
3/02/2022
In April 2022 (till 2026), The UK government will give out grants of £5,000 for people who will install heat pumps instead of new gas boilers. the reason for this that heat pumps are a zero carbon heating solution that will help homeowners make the transition to low carbon heating solutions to heat up their homes and contribute to reduced emissions. However there are a few things to keep in mind which we are talking about in this podcast episode.
21/01/2022
In todays podcast we look at the idea of Environmental, social and corporate governance Scoring or ESG score. it grew out of a investment practice called Socially Responsible Investing (SRI). ESG investing and analysis, on the other hand, looks at finding value in companies—not just at supporting a set of values. Why is this important, the reason is that Aviva Investors, has put the directors of 1,500 companies on notice and that it is willing to seek their removal (from their investing group) if they fail to show enough urgency in tackling issues including the climate crisis and human rights! But how does a company show what its doing to Investors, by generating a Environmental, social and corporate governance score! Additionally with Investors wanting Green companies to invest in, they need to know how green a company is. At COP21, The Paris Agreement Capital Transition Assessment (PACTA)was created to be a free, open-source methodology and tool, which measures financial portfolios' alignment with various climate scenarios consistent with the Paris Agreement, which is developed into Environmental, social and corporate governance Score. If a company want to improve there Environmental, social and corporate governance Score they might want to introduce Science-based targets. these provide a clearly-defined pathway for companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, helping prevent impacts of climate change and future-proof business growth. Targets are considered ‘science-based’ if they are in line with what the latest climate science deems necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement – limiting global warming to well-below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C.
21/01/2022
In this episode we look at the Mayor of
London plan to ease traffic congestion to improve air quality and reduce air
pollution About 40,000 deaths in Britain each year are linked to air pollution
with most of the pollution coming from traffic congestion. Therefore the Mayor
of London has proposed some changes to the congestion charge to help pay for
air pollution reducing measures. We explore that getting rid of cars would
prevent traffic, but would not help the people living in metropolitan areas,
perhaps reducing traffic, by introducing cycle lanes and bus routes will help
but who would pay for this
13/01/2022
Seen companies marketing their goods with Eco Buzz
words? this marketing ploy is called greenwashing, it trying to convince
customers that the company is making postive environmental choices.
The Statement "this podcast is CFC free" is
a easy example of greenwashing. a claim that is true, wholesome and
environmentally friendly. but if you think twice about it, Most/all podcast are
CFC free because they dont use any CFC to make them, its an easy claim to make
but doesnt make actually make any difference to climate change, this is the
problem with greenwashing.
The term greenwashing was first coined in the 1980s
in an essay by environmentalist Jay Westerveld. In this essay, he criticized
the hotel industry’s “save your towel” movement for preying on guests’
environmental sensibilities. While this movement was disguised as a way for
guests to help hotels conserve water and save the planet, it essentially only
cut down on laundry labor expenses for the hotel and made a minimal difference
in water usage.
Why is greenwashing so prevalent today? In short —
because it works. A 2015 Nielson poll found that two-thirds of shoppers are
willing to pay more for eco-friendly goods and that half consider a product’s
sustainability before deciding whether to purchase.
06/01/2022
We
look at if a climate change prevention strategy of planting a tree to offset
carbon emission. Recently in wales an investment company is set to offer tree
planting as a way for companies to offset their carbon emission. Locals welsh
farmers are unhappy with this due to the idea that having a forest would be
ruining the landscape.... Surely this should be the other way around. In other
news, we look at rewilding project that are happening in the UK, like a herd
(4) of European bison is being re introduced to the UK (Kent) as well as the
oyster seeding of rivers in the UK.