What is the potential for tidal power to supply carbon free energy to a world desperate to throw off the shackles of fossil fuels?

You would expect the potential to be huge because there are tides every where, right.

The answer may surprise you!

Tidal Power Turbine

This is a photo of the 1.2 megawatt tidal turbine installation at Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland, raised out of the water for maintenance. The world’s first commercial scale tidal turbine.

In service now since 2008, it supplies electricity to some 1000 homes.

At an installation cost of 8.5 million UK pounds ($12.75 at today’s rate), that’s a whopping $10.6 million per megawatt!

Compare this to the typical installation cost of a 2 megawatt onshore wind turbine of $3.5 million, that’s only $1.75 million per megawatt.

And the typical installation cost of an offshore wind turbine of $3 million per megawatt, although this will vary depending on the site.

*  *  *  *

Now we have the relevant costs, let’s go back to the potential of tidal power.

The total global energy in the tides is estimated at 3.5 terawatts, which sounds like a huge number, and is. But even as large as it is, this is only 20 percent  of total global energy usage.

But much of this occurrs in open oceans and is unusable, because to generate power efficiently the tidal current must have a speed of at least 1.2 meters per second. That leaves us with only 20 suitable sites world wide.

We are now reduced to a global potential less than 100 gigawatts.

That’s because currents of this speed are only present in certain shallow coastal waters.  However, due to the variability of the tides and the alterations to the tidal flow caused by the presence of the turbines, the potential is further reduced to only 10s of gigawatts.

Objections to tidal turbines has been growing, as an array of turbines across an estuary or channel, would substantially alter the marine ecology both up and downstream of the array.

However, Dr Graham Savidge of Queens University, Belfast has been monitoring the effects of the single turbine at Strangford Lough. He says,

“There has been very little impact really, it seems quite benign. However, when it started running we noticed passing Porpoises stopped communicating, but numbers have remained stable at the entrance and top of the lough.”

Perhaps this study will alleviate many of the worries of the objectors?

*  *  *  *

If you would allow a personal note, I have to admit to being a little sceptical as to the potential of tidal power. Is a return of 1000 homes equivalent electricity sufficient for an investment of £8.5 million?

I would think not in today’s financial climate.

The UK government’s energy minister Lord Hunt has just launched it’s ‘Marine Energy Action Plan’, when he suggested that the UK’s coastal waters had sufficient tidal and wave potential to supply 15 million homes.

He’s having a laugh! Does he expect us to believe him?

Taking the Strangford Lough example where the 1.2 megawatt turbine supplied 1000 homes, it would need 15,000 turbines to supply 15 million homes, at a cost of £12.75 million each!

Put another way, we would need 15,000 turbines at 1.2 megawatts, totaling 18,000 megawatts. That’s 55 gigawatts of tidal and wave power, which would exceed the global potential?

While we all should embrace clean technology as a replacement for fossil fuels, we have to be sensible with it. It is also advisable to keep political hype and falsehoods out of such a critical sector.

Sincerely,

P.S. Let me know what you think about tidal power and the clean energy debate in general, by leaving a comment or submitting a story through the link in the page menu.

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1. China Takes The Lead

I have a very disturbing conundrum to put to you, but more on that later.

Before I go into the conundrum, I wanted to give you some background into the history of our planet Earth since it’s birth 4.6 billion years ago…

The Blue Marble -Nasa

The Earth has been through some very disturbing upheavals during it’s long existence, with wide swings from one extreme to another, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Ancient Times

The oldest rocks found on Earth are 4.1 billion years old, so we know that geological processes similar to today were operating at this time. The atmosphere is another story though, because this was composed chiefly of carbon dioxide and nitrogen, but devoid of oxygen.

The temperature at the Earth’s surface must have been within 10°Celsius of today since there is evidence of sediments. Sediments are the product of weathering and deposition, which means there must have been water vapour in the atmosphere and liquid water at the surface, i.e., between 0°C and 100°C.

This all points to an Earth settled into what we know today; a core, mantle, and crust with tectonic plate movement.

Early Life On Earth

The earliest photosynthesising organisms are found in rocks 3.6 billion years old, and resemble stromatolite structures. Stromatolites can be seen today in the shallow waters around the coast of Australia. They are composed of layers of blue-green algae and calcium deposited by the algae.

The geological fossil record shows us that life, thriving on oxygen as we do today, was well established by 2.5 billion years ago.

By 540 million years ago (end of the Proterozoic eon), there was a wide range of animal types and shapes without skeletons in the seas known as the Ediacaran faunas. These were jellyfish, worms, sea-urchins, sponges, and shrimpish creatures.

The Paleozoic era, 542 – 251 million years ago, saw a huge increase in the diversification of skeletal creatures typified by trilobites, shellfish, corals, and fish in the sea. On land we had the development of fauna and trees, beetles, and reptiles.

A Cambrian Trilobite

Mass Extinctions

During this era, the massive explosion of life was interspersed with 4 great extinction events. By far the worst came at the end of the era in an event known as the late Permian extinction, when around 96% of species were wiped out.

Glaciation And The Greenhouse

Previous to the Permian extinction, the Carboniferous period was a time of huge tropical forests that are responsible for the world’s major coal deposits. This was followed by glaciation, in the late Carboniferous and early Permian periods, almost assuredly brought on by the massive draw-down of CO₂ from the atmosphere by the explosion of plant growth.

In addition we have the formation of the super-continent Pangea that caused mountain uplift, and thus weathering, which is also a major cause of CO₂ draw-down from the atmosphere.

Thus we see evidence of the direct link between plants, weathering, atmospheric CO₂, and glaciation.

Moving on to our more recent geological history, the last 2.5 million years have seen the Earth in the grip of an ice age, which continues to the present day.

Yes indeed, today we find ourselves in an inter-stadial, that is a warm period within an ice age. Over the last 600,000 years especially, a glaciation period of around 100,000 years, is followed by an inter-stadial of around 10,000 – 15,000 years, before slipping back into another glaciation, and so on.

Our present inter-stadial started 11,000 years ago.

Orbital variations of the Earth around the sun are the major forcing factor behind this phenomenon.

Let me explain…

The Earth orbits the sun not in a circle but in an elliptical shape. The shape of the ellipse varies over 110,000 years, from barely more than a circle, to maximum eccentricity, and back to just more than a circle again.

Elliptical Orbit Variations

It is when the Earth’s orbit is in it’s most circular phase that maximum glaciation occurs, because the Earth remains further from the sun for a longer period.

At the present time our orbit is moving towards minimum eccentricity, which it will reach in approximately 50,000 years time.

There are other orbital variations which affect the distribution of incoming solar radiation across the planet. It is however, the elliptical cycle that affects the quantity of solar radiation to reach the Earth’s surface, and is at present the more dominant cycle.

Human Intervention

It has been shown that in past inter-stadials, the Earth’s mean surface temperature gradually falls as we near the beginning of glaciation proper. This time however, we are seeing a rise in mean temperature due to rapid global warming caused by us humans.

There is no doubt that another glaciation period, over the northern hemisphere in particular having the worst ice-up, would devastate the human population. In the previous glaciation, ice sheets reached latitudes further south than the American great lakes, with tundra extending down as far as southern Greece, Italy and Spain.

Human activities are having an effect on the climate to the extent that rising temperature is melting polar ice shelves and glaciers around the world. The north polar regional ice cap is shrinking and thinning at an alarming rate.

The reduced surface area covered by ice has a knock-on effect on planetary albedo, where less ice reflects less solar radiation back out to space, thus more radiation is absorbed by the atmosphere and planet surface.

This is part of a positive feedback loop that enables mean surface temperature to rise even further, and at an ever increasing rate.

The Conundrum

Herein lies the disturbing conundrum.

We may just avert, delay, or weaken the next glaciation directly because of anthropogenic generated global warming, thereby saving us from the worst rigors of a freezing planet.

But this may well come at the expense of displaced populations from low lying island and coastal territories. Because make no mistake, should the polar regions ice melt, we are talking about a sea level rising in the 10’s of metres.

If however, the planet’s entire population were to be displaced to the tropical latitudes because of glaciation, we would have complete meltdown of civilization, and most likely another mass extinction of 96%+ of the world’s species as the pressure for space told.

As it stands…

With our lack of collective progress towards combating climate change, and the predicted increased planetary temperature resulting from the fossil fuels we have already burned, I am not sure we are not now passed the point of no return.

We may just have inadvertently, averted the next ice-up and saved billions of lives, at the expense of the loss of millions of square miles of precious land.

On the other hand, if by some miracle we do manage to pull back rising surface temperature, stop the ice melting, and prevent the sea level rising, we may just bring on the next ice age.

Sincerely,

P.S. What the future holds no one knows, which way the pendulum swings is unpredictable. Can we afford to sit around and wait to see the global warming effects? That’s a question for the entire world. Don’t ring me, phone the president!

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1. What Can We Do To Save The Earth

“Because You’re Tired Of Paying Out To
The Fat Cat Utility Companies…
Why Not Install Your Own
Solar Hot Water System…”

Especially now that they are affordable and return on investment has come right down…

The old argument that a solar water system is too expensive, and I won’t get my money back for 10 years is no longer valid.

The whole family can now have luxurious baths  without it costing you a small fortune!

Solar Water Collectors

Capturing the sun’s abundant free energy is the way of the future, it surrounds us every day and there just aren’t enough people taking advantage.

Take Advantage

Have you any idea just how many benefits to you there are to solar water heating?

The list is extensive so I’ve just chosen a few for you here…

• Subsidized Investment
• Early Return on Investment
• Bomb Proof Yourself Against Rising Energy Bills
• Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
• Reduces Climate Change Pressures
• Sustainable Living
  

…not to mention all those luxurious baths and showers, taken knowing that you heated the water for free.

That’s right free hot water, because after you have recovered  the return on investment, which is under 5 years, all the hot water you produce is heated for free.

The Downside

Look, there is no downside because what’s bad about low to zero hot water bills, or having hot water when you want it without worrying about the cost?

But wait, there is something I haven’t told you yet that’s even better!

The federal stimulus tax credit scheme will give you 30% of the cost of your installation. Not only that, there are state rebate schemes available for clean energy installations too.

So you tell me, where is the downside?

The only problem I foresee, is that the federal stimulus for clean energy won’t last forever, so now is the time to take advantage before it runs out.

Take full advantage, because in addition to using it for a solar hot water system, it can be used for a solar power system too.

The more people that use it the more we help the environment and our pockets too. The only real downside is if the federal stimulus budget wasn’t utilized to it’s fullest extent.

Sincerely,

P.S. There is a whole lot more information for you at the solar water heating systems page.

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1. Solar Power System The Way Of The Future
2. How Can Home Solar Power Work For You
3. How Clean Is Your Drinking Water

“The Biggest Advancement In The Industry
For 50 Years Making Solar Power
The Way Of The Future…”

I am always on the look out for new technology in the solar energy systems industry.

The reason is I am convinced of it’s inherent value, both in the industrialised west, and for developing countries.

Just recently I found some new technology that blew my mind. The industry has been crying out for something like this for years.

It has great design, is applied with quality and longevity to the forefront, and is elegant to behold.

Now a whole solar power system can be supplied in a box, ready for anyone to install.

With the old technology solar power systems needed some care to install, especially with the high voltage DC cabling and main central inverter setup. In fact it could be hazardous when handled incorrectly.

Not any more…

Ready Solar, Solar-In-A-Box                                                                    .

This new system uses micro-inverters fastened to each individual solar module to output grid compatible AC power. Modules are then connected in parallel, then wired directly into your AC load center.

You specify the size of solar power system you need (1 to 6 kilowatts), then everything needed for the installation onto your roof is shipped in a box to your doorstep! Cool isn’t it.

The installation is a cinch…

After watching the video you see how easy it all is?

With the Ready Solar system it’s even easier because the micro-inverter is pre-assembled into each modules mounting frame.

Indeed, all the Ready Solar equipment is pre-engineered and pre-assembled to make this system easier to install than than rail system shown in the video, using 70% less roof penetrations. Everything you need is shipped to you ready to mount.

Ready Solar is equally suited for residential solar power or commercial applications. In the business world it’s especially important to maintain power. The built in redundancy afforded by the Enphase micro-inverter is perfect, because loss of power is never an issue.

This is a completed installation, you see how elegant it looks…

Ready Solar Modules

…designed to blend in with a slate roof and to resemble a skylight.

The Enphase Micro-Inverter                                                                     .

The micro-inverter gives you modularity and scalability because you can start with any size of installation you wish, then simply expand with further modules as and when you are ready.

With the micro-inverters you get the Envoy energy management unit, that provides system monitoring down to each module level.

You link in to the Envoy website and watch a graphical display of your system produce power in real time, including individual module evaluation, total system output, and carbon equivalent offsets.

In addition a proactive alert will be sent to your email address if something needs addressing.

In a standard solar system with central inverter, the whole string of modules are treated as one. Therefore should a single module become shaded, or malfunction, the entire system is brought down to the output of the single module.

With the Ready Solar system, shading is no longer an issue because modules are handled on an individual basis. The reduced output of a shaded module does not affect the remaining modules performance at all.

This means that modules can now be installed on multi-aspect roofs without detriment to the entire power system.

Economical Advantages                                                                             .

These are multiple and very desirable…

• Federal Stimulus Tax Credit of 30% on all Clean Energy Installations
  
• State Solar Energy Rebate (Variable State to State)
  
• Solar Renewable Energy Credit bill (SREC), Which Obliges Utility Companies To Pay You For Surplus Energy You Produce
  
• Bomb Proof Against Volatile Oil Market
• Safeguard Your Future Energy Supply
• Net Zero Energy Bills
• Return On Investment As Low As 4.5 Years

…because the suns energy is abundant and free. Which makes economical sense to use, right?

You can have self reliance and be in total control of your energy supply, as well as being in zero net energy use after 4.5 years, which means that your electricity is free.

Given that your solar power system will easily last you 25 years, that’s 20+ years of free renewable energy.

What’s that worth??

Environmental Advantages                                                                       .

The environmental advantages are massive given the pressures of today. With fossil fuel consumption, extraction and refining at an all time high, there’s no wonder the climate is under pressure.

With a solar power system you are helping to alleviate these pressures on the planet, by…

• Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
• Reducing Embedded Energy Consumption in Supply Chain
  
• Reducing Climate Change
• Improving Your Energy Efficiency and Management
• Show Casing Your Solar Home to Show Your Neighbors How Good It Is
  

Only by individuals taking control of their lifestyle in an environmentally friendly way, can we stop climate change before it’s tipped over the edge.

That’s why I am excited over these developments in the industry.

It is now easier than ever to install a solar energy system that any good DIYer can do it (although I would advise having a local electrician make the final connection into the house load center).

Also it now makes economical sense where in the past the return on investment was way too long. At only around 4.5 years, you are very quickly into the free energy zone.

Sincerely,

P.S. There is much more information at the Future of Solar Power page that will help you move towards zero net electricity usage!

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2. Solar Water Heating Systems Now Affordable
3. Tidal Power A False Hope?

If Climate Change isn’t taking place then, this website, the world’s governments, hundred’s of NGOs, scores of scientists, and millions of people are wasting our time!

No action is necessary at all!

If that’s what you think, take a look at these two photos of Alaska from the US Geological Survey.

In a UK survey taken by Populus for the BBC during February 3 thro’ 4, 25% of people when asked…

‘From what you know and have heard, do you think that the Earth’s climate is changing and global warming taking place?’

…answered “NO.“

When asked this question…

‘Still thinking about climate change and global warming, based on however much or little you know about this, please say which of the following statements comes closest to your own view, even if none of them exactly describes what you think?’

…only 26% answered…

“Climate change is happening & is now established as largely man made.”

While 25% answered…

“Climate change is not happening.”

When asked about the consequences of climate change…

‘Would you say that, in general, the risks of climate change and its possible consequences have been presented proportionately, or do you think they have been understated, or do you think they have been exaggerated?’

…36% thought it had been exaggerated.

That’s massive scepticism in the UK equating to…

• One quarter of the population thinking there is no global warming taking place
  
• One third thinking that the risks have been exaggerated

What’s exaggerated by the two photos above? Does anyone know why glaciers retreat like this?

Rising Temperature, Rising Temperature, Rising Temperature!

Less snow fall and a lubricating layer of water between the base rock and the ice, equals less ice formation and greater ice loss at the face respectively.

Southern Hemisphere                                                                                .

Down in the southern hemisphere melting ice is also a concern as reported in the NewScientist in January 2010.

The Pine Island glacier in western Antarctica may be past it’s tipping point when a massive collapse becomes inevitable.

It was first reported to be thinning in 2004, but the recently completed survey of the ice shelf in 3D showed that it had irreversibly passed the tipping point, where it will lose 50% of it’s ice in the next 100 years.

The consequences for global ocean levels is a rise 24 centimetres (0.8 feet).

The reason for the collapse is warming seawater which washes up beneath the ice shelf pushing the grounding line (the point where a floating ice shelf becomes a grounded ice sheet), further up the continental shelf.

The situation is exacerbated by the shape of the sea bed which rises to a lip, then drops again into a bowl before rising again proper to the shoreline. The survey found that once the ice has retreated beyond the lip, a rapid and irreversible loss of ice occurs.

The USGS and the UK Hadley center both predict a sea level rise, due to oceanic thermal expansion alone, of 1 to 2 metres (3 to 6.5 feet) by 2100, based on a global temperature rise of 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

Imagine what effect this will have on an already under threat Antarctic ice shelf!

We Don’t Need Science To Confirm What We See                             .

These are observations of what is actually happening right now, forget whether the science is dodgy or not, this is actual physical evidence. Forget whether it’s man made or not, no one else has the capacity to slow down or halt global warming but us.

If you don’t think it’s important just think on this.

We are at the beginning of the effect right now. You think global warming is a natural phenomenon? You’re right! It keeps the Earth inhabitable, right again!

Have you ever heard of runaway global warming? I have and it occurred in the Cretaceous period when the polar ice caps melted and disappeared entirely.

There were lush sub-tropical forests at northern Alaskan latitudes!

The climate is a complex integration of feedback systems, some positive, some negative.

Take the albedo effect, which is a measure of the reflectivity of a surface. Fresh snow and ice reflects some 30% to 80+% of the suns energy right back out to space. Whereas seawater has a low albedo effect, only reflecting ~4%, and dark soil up to 15% of the suns energy.

When the climate is in balance the polar ice caps help regulate global temperature by reflecting just the right amount of the suns energy back to space. If however the global temperature experiences a rapid warming, then polar ice begins to shrink thus reflecting less energy back to space.

Less reflectivity equals more of the suns energy becomes absorbed in the troposphere, equals a higher global temperature. As more and more ice is lost warming becomes exaggerated in what’s known as a positive feedback loop.

So if you are a climate sceptic I ask you not to get bogged down in the ‘who is responsible’ but to look at such observations as shown here, then to ask yourself, ‘how do we stop this from happening’.

If you want to help prevent global warming becoming more of a news headline in the future, you can download my ‘100 Green Living Tips’ pdf to the right, to reduce your impact on the climate by curtailing your carbon footprint.

Sincerely,

P.S. Click the link to see the full climate sceptic poll from the BBC.

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1. Himalayan Glaciers ARE Melting

While the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) attempts to rescue it’s reputation, after issuing it’s flawed report, the fact remains-

Himalayan Glaciers ARE Melting!

Himalayan Glacier Melt

The IPCC’s report from 2007 contained claims that mountain glaciers are melting on all the world’s continents, and the cause was global warming.

However, these claims were based on two unsubstantiated articles. Firstly, a dissertation by a geography student who based his conclusions on conversations with alpine guides, and secondly, a report found in a popular climbing magazine which again was based on observations made by mountaineers.

Although glacier retreat is being observed in all mountain regions, the mountaineers were hardly qualified climate scientists. Herein lies the problem.

The IPCC is supposed to provide authoritive scientific evidence, it was therefore incumbent upon them to establish peer review, and to be secure in their claims before presenting them to a nervous world.

Inevitably, global warming sceptics have seized on the mistake to call the IPCC discredited and so should be disbanded.

I think the real damage may well be with the millions of ordinary people around the world, whom are yet to be convinced that global warming and therefore climate change, is indeed a threat. What kind of message does the IPCC send to them?

The fact remains that glaciers around the world ARE in retreat. That’s not a regional aberration, but a global phenomenon.

So what is the explanation if not global warming?

What Is Global Warming

Global warming is the warming of the Earth due to the greenhouse effect.

During daylight hours, incoming solar radiation enters the atmosphere to warm up the troposphere and Earth’s surface. During the nighttime, the absorbed long wave thermal energy is radiated out into the atmosphere where it is eventually dissipated into the stratosphere and beyond to space.

Simply put, it is the balance of incoming energy against the outgoing energy that determines whether the overall energy budget for the Earth is in the black, or in the red.

When they are equal the Earth’s temperature remains stable. However, when less energy is lost to space than is absorbed, we have global warming.

It is a group of gasses in the atmosphere known as greenhouse gasses, around which, the controversy revolves.

Their quantities are so small yet without them the Earth would be too cold to be habitable. They are chiefly…

• Water Vapour
• Ozone
• Carbon Dioxide
• Methane
• Nitrous Oxide

These gasses naturally absorb energy in the infrared wavelength during the day, then re-radiate it back to Earth. Simultaneously they absorb the outgoing thermal energy radiated into the atmosphere from the ground during the night, increasing the trapped energy.

Too great a quantity of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere, means too much thermal energy is trapped in the troposphere causing heating.

Global Temperature Trend

As the graph shows, the trend has been up +0.8 degress Centigrade between 1860 and 2000.

Global warming IS occurring as evidenced by the retreat of the Rombuk glacier since 1921, and the temperature record since 1860. Is the cause sunspots, anthropogenic greenhouse gas production, or is it a natural deviation?

What I do know is, that since the onset of the industrial revolution around 1800, the quantity of greenhouse gasses pumped into the atmosphere by man must be trillions of tons! The rising global temperature coincides with the industrialization process! Also there is no other viable culprit based on today’s evidence!

It’s like the murderer who gets off, yet the police say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the crime. It’s obvious what has caused the current global warming trend, all we have to do now is to proove beyond reasonable doubt that we did it.

So the Himalayan glaciers won’t have disappeared by 2035, but they could well do by 2135 so that’s alright then? The IPCC got it wrong, but we can’t ignore what our eyes tell us.

So let us stop concentrating on who did it, the time has arrived to focus on how we prevent it. Don’t let us be the modern day Nero!

Sincerely,

P.S. Please sign up for my RSS feed or newsletter for more news and information.

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1. No Climate Change No Action Necessary

The UK’s green energy commitments have fallen way behind it’s European counterparts in the past years, despite numerous oral and policy wordings. This time there is no leeway for delay!

The Energy White Paper 2007 set renewable electricity targets of 10% by 2010, and 20% by 2020. Also renewable energy overall to be 20% of total by 2020.
The Climate Change Act 2008 bound the UK to reduce CO₂ emissions below 1990 levels, a minimum 34% by 2020, and 80% by 2050.
The Low Carbon Transition Plan 2009 also commits the UK to obtaining 15% of electricity from renewables by 2020, in-line with the EC’s Energy Directive 2009.

However, even now the UK’s progress is stuck in regional planning consultations.

So when we hear that Gordon Brown the British Prime Minister is to announce this week, a £100 billion offshore wind development, including some 3500 turbines, we know that it will become bogged down in planning consultations for the foreseeable future.
Lets hope that the Dogger Bank area of the North Sea has no NIMBYs (not-in-my-back-yard), as a number of turbines with 10 gigawatt capacity are planned here.

In addition this week, the German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung reported that, nine European countries plan to develop a high voltage power grid under the North Sea. This with the intention to distribute their renewable power generation, which is expected to iron out the weather related fluctuations, a major draw-back of green energy.

The 10-year project includes connecting wind farms off the coasts of Germany and the UK, tidal barrages off the coasts of Belgium and Denmark, hydro-electric schemes in Norway, and wind and solar schemes on the European mainland.

The newspaper reports that there are existing offshore wind farm contracts to provide 100 gigawatts of capacity, equivalent to approximately 10% of Europe’s total energy needs.

So now we have it. The UK has 10-years to get it’s renewable energy systems up and running, or they will have no green energy to share with the rest of northern Europe.;)

Sincerely,

P.S. I would love to have your comments on this post, so go ahead and let me know what you think!

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3. Green Your Home With Energy Savings

Green living isn’t about giving things up; it’s about making smarter choices, understanding those choices and feeling good about those choices.

We all consume services and products, travel and eat food. We choose where, how and what we consume. This is our freedom, we get to choose!

The aim of our choices is to reduce the energy we consume. That means embedded energy, our own energy use, and energy that will be consumed in the recycling process or waste disposal.

Start with a few areas and build up your source base, until you know what products are green and where to get them. Here are a few ideas…

Eco Cleaners

Choose non-toxic and biodegradable cleaning products like these from Method,

Eco Cleaning products

which include…

• All Surface cleaner
• Glass cleaner
• Hand wash
• Soap
• Wet Wipes

…and includes cleaning cloths made from bamboo, so you don’t have to use wasteful paper towels!

Eco Clothing

Eco Clothing

Why not buy organic clothing such as Green Tee makes. Natural materials may include…

• Cotton
• Bamboo
• Hemp
• Silk

Cotton grown organically uses no agro-chemicals, which means that the soil is free from toxins, and is only enriched with organic compost.

Bamboo is incredibly sustainable, growing up to 75 feet in only 45-60 days! It needs no chemicals as it is naturally resistant to pests, and it regenerates itself sending out 4-6 new shoots per year through it’s root system.

Baby Products

There are many eco friendly baby products available on the market today, from…

Eco Baby

• Bedding
• Clothing
• Skin Care
• Diapering
• to Toys
  

There’s everything you need for a happy, healthy eco friendly baby at the Ultimate Green Store.

Reusable Bags

Reusable Eco Friendly Bag

Reusable eco friendly bags are an easy and ideal way to start greening your lifestyle. No more plastic bags that use up fossil fuels creating CO₂, and that remain in landfil sites for 100s of years.

Up to 60,000 plastic bags are used every 5-seconds in the U.S alone, and only 1-3% are recycled. So you see, it’s really important to cut out all this waste.

I highly recommend these Trek Light Eco Tote which are extremely light weight, and that pack down to a tiny size when empty. So tiny you can keep one on your key chain, and a few in your car, so you will never be without.

Solar Gadget Charger

You can save electricity by using this Solio solar universal hybrid charger which uses

Solar Gadget Charger

solar power. This charger from Solio creates free and clean energy immediately, and when fully charged will charge your mobile 2 times, or MP3 for 20 hours of music!

The charger is light weight and compact so can be carried around for re-charging on the move. The unit comes with a range of adaptor tips to fit a myriad of different devices from iPods and iPhones, through Blackberrys and Nokias, to GPS systems and cameras.

It can also be used with a wall socket or USB port to charge the Lithium Ion battery that will store power for up to a year. It can be exchanged when at the end of it’s life cycle.

As you see, there are many ways to to engage in green living, and these are just a few. So get started, you only have to dip your toes in the water to get wet, then before you know it you’ll be totally immersed!

Sincerely,

P.S. Check out this piece concerning the estimated 1 trillion plastic bags that are used worldwide every year, the resources this consumes, and the subsequent disposal problems!

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