Comments for What about China?

Comment on Qu: Are energy-saving bulbs the brightest idea? by Bethan

Bethan — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 08:48:57 +0000

Hi Neil,

Thanks for your comment. It goes to show how important it is for large businesses to prioritise environmental policy, especially when it comes to being transparent in ‘greening’ their supply chain. I’ve heard a similar story to the ‘Chinese Ikea lightbulbs’; this time the business is Sky, who, in their new campaign to be CarbonNeutral, have sparked a race for optimum energy efficiency between manufacturers of digi boxes.

Suppliers will go the extra mile to improve their environmental credentials when winning business is at stake; a realistic and slightly depressing fact that should be a cue for to the government and consumers alike to put pressure on market leaders.

Bethan

Comment on Question: Highs and lows of Carbon Trading… by Ebay hot items

Ebay hot items — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:03:30 +0000

Very interesting site, i have added it to my favourites. Greetings

Comment on Question: are patio heaters evil? by Wainenry

Wainenry — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 13:41:54 +0000

Brilliant!

Comment on Qu: Are energy-saving bulbs the brightest idea? by Neil

Neil — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 08:42:36 +0000

We can try to save energy by using low-energy light bulbs. Presently
these are based on a technology that uses mercury. Traditional forecasting or planning would attempt to establish whether the energy savings are more substantial than the disadvantage of dispersing more mercury. The real answer is that it is usually not possible to answer these kinds of questions with any degree of certainty.
Ikea used The Natural Step planning methodology in developing their low-energy bulbs. As a result, they found a supplier in China that used a third as much mercury as other suppliers. The other suppliers were duly notified about the reasons for choosing Chinese low-energy bulbs. It is obvious what the effect of this announcement was, not least its virtual guarantee that funding would be put into new research. Tomorrow’s alternatives, heading towards no mercury, are under development.
the key to the whole thing is the closed technical loop idea of the recycling program put in place by Ikea. Without that it isn’t much of a step in the right direction towards sustainability. The systematic increase of mercury in natural systems is a serious problem but by looking to reduce the amount used in production and then eventually substitute it for something else along with a recycling system is a great step over the old bulbs.
thx
Neil

Comment on Question: What About China?!? by Bethan

Bethan — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:22:50 +0000

Hi Derrick,

Thanks for your comments. You’re right to point out that focusing on other countries contributions to global warming is no reason to ignore our own. So, well done for getting your solar water heater installed. Solar PV panels are pricey but there are grants available and with the cost of energy rising at such a rate your investment will pay off a lot quicker.

Check out these websites for more information about grants and installation.

http://www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk/home/
http://www.heatmyhome.co.uk/uk-solar-grants.htm
http://www.government-grants.co.uk/solar-water-heating-grants.shtml

Good luck!
Bethan

Comment on Qu: What about population increase? by Toby

Toby — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:56:51 +0000

Jonathan Porritt touches on this issue in his ‘Population’ piece (http://www.jonathonporritt.com/pages/2008/06/population.html) on his blog, suggesting that population growth is on of THE issues we have to tackle, ahead - perhaps - of HIV/AIDS. Worth a read.

Comment on Question: What About China?!? by Derrick Bloch

Derrick Bloch — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:48:14 +0000

It makes life a whole lot easier for oneself if one can point to someone else’s smokestacks!!

From my own point of view I try to make my opwn little contribution, and find that frustrating too. We recently installled a solar water heater on our roof. I have been looking into Solar Voltaic panels as well, but for a little guy like me it becomes frighteningly expensive, and takes a serious chunk out of the household budget.

In my opinion governments, both local and federal, should be doing two things: (i) heavily subsidizing the installation of solar energy technology and making it affordable for homeowners and (ii) hammering the message home to kids in school, because they are the ones who change the parents’ opinions.