Cumbria News
Cumbria is poised to make a substantial contribution
towards Britain's renewable energy targets and create thousands of new
skilled jobs in the process, a unique new study commissioned by Cumbria
Vision has revealed.
The Scope for Renewable Energy in Cumbria has been
written by former
Government energy advisor and environmental scientist
Sir Martin Holdgate on behalf of Cumbria Vision's
Renewable Energy Panel. It is believed to be the first study in Britain
to identify the economic opportunities arising from renewable energy
development at a county level. Sir Martin Holdgate is a Christian and a
member of the Churches Together in Cumbria Environment Group.
(picture (c) Lake District National Park
The Report says that Cumbria is poised to meet a third of its total
energy needs from renewable sources by 2020, and double that by 2050. By
2050 the County could become a significant exporter of renewable energy with
5.5gigawatts of installed capacity, and meet the energy needs of over
300,000 people through a vibrant mix of wind, hydro, tidal, solar,
geothermal and biomass. In turn this could create and safeguard in the
region of 7,000 jobs and bring a significant boost to businesses and
investors. Sir Martin stresses these impressive figures can be achieved
without damaging Cumbria’s internationally-prized landscape, which is the
major draw for the 16 million visitors who flock to the County each year.
The Report is available to view
here
National News
Love for the future is the title of the Bath & Wells
diocesan Lent course for 2010. It is currently being written, scripted and
filmed by a team put together by the Diocesan Environment Group. The
six-week course concentrates on issues of social justice and the environment
and covers six main topics; respect, compassion, simplicity, active justice,
repentance and hope. Each week's session includes a 15-minute DVD film
suitable for house groups and services, also group discussion material,
bible study notes and pointers to other resources. The course will also be
suitable for occasions other than Lent. Click
here for more details.
Look at the
New Map
and List of Christian Environment Groups in England.
The climate blockbuster starring Pete Postlethwaite was
released on DVD October 19th 2009. Pre-order it
here. Screen it for friends or
your community. For tips on what we did in my village contact
ruth@sjarman11.wanadoo.co.uk.
Plans to reward eco-friendly householders for
the green energy that their solar panels produce have received a muted
welcome. The clean energy cashback plan, known as "feed-in tariffs", offers
incentives from April for those who install small scale renewables on their
homes. The government claims one in 10 homeowners could fit panels or
small wind turbines by 2020. But the scheme has been criticised as not
generous enough. Under the programme, people will be paid a fixed rate
by their energy provider for electricity from small renewable power sources.
They could also save money on their bills. For instance, from 1 April
householders and communities who install solar photovoltaic panels of up to
5MW will be paid for the renewable electricity they generate, even if they
use it themselves. The level of payment depends on the technology and is
linked to inflation. insert PV tariff chart here
For more
information go to: live link to
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8491767.stm
Prosperity
Without Growth: The Transition to a Sustainable Economy. Tim Jackson,
Sustainable Development Commission. 133 p 2009. Gratis SDC
tel 0207270 8498.
Prosperity
Without Growth: Economics for a Finite Planet. Tim
Jackson, Earthscan, 2009. £12.99.
Both these books provide new
thinking as to our future economy in a period when Business as Usual (
BAU) is no longer an option. The argument is that economic growth, which
provides employment , is no longer possible because we are running out
of resources; oil food fisheries etc, with an impossible environmental
impact. The discussion is how to reduce that environmental impact, de-growth
the economy and find a new prosperity where economic growth is not
part of the social equation. These are new approaches to economics, a
suggestion that the future is a comfortable austerity for all of us, a
questioning of the current economic values. These two books are new thinking
with a suggestion that a prosperous future for all is possible in an economy
which does not damage the environment on which we all depend.
Tim
Jackson is Economics Commissioner for the SDC and Professor of Sustainable
Development at the University of Surrey.
The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies
Almost Always do Better. Richard Wilkinson, and Kate
Pickett. Allen Lane, 2009 £20.
This is an important
book describing why rich societies the poor have shorter lives and
inequalities of income are divisive and corrosive. Based on 30 years of
social data the book argues that more unequal societies are bad for almost
everyone. Unequal means a significance difference between rich and
poor. Three sections cover; Material Success and Social Failure , The Costs
of Inequality and A Better Society. Chapter 15 suggests how we
can apply ‘ Equality and Sustainability.
Storms of My Grandchildren: The Truth About the
Coming Climate Catastrophe and Our Last Chance to Save Humanity.
James Hansen. Bloomsbury, 2009. £18.99.
James Hansen first brought the
threats of global warming to the attention of the world in the 1980’s. This
book is about a lifetimes study and political action at the US
Congress level. There is lot new in this book, such as the need to stop,
now, mining and burning coal, the importance of new nuclear generators,
and the dangers of carbon dioxide, whether in the atmosphere or stored in
perpetuity. There is much new in this book as it describes the scientific
threats and opportunities humanity has caused over the current
century. An argument to cut the man made carbon pollution as an
urgent priority by the Director of NASA Goddard Institute of
Space Studies.
Whole Earth Discipline:
An Ecopragmatist Manifesto. Stewart Brand. Atlantic
Books, 2009. £19.99
This book is an argument that the environment
movement must reverse some of its long held opinions and embrace
new technologies such as genetic modification , nuclear power and other new
technologies. We have no option is an era of climate change to embrace
technologies that were once regarded as a threat for time is short and risk
must be taken. Many of these technologies are no longer risky and the green
movement must now follow where science suggests opportunities. There is much
new in this thinking, that is a total opposite to the social changes
suggested by Tim Jackson, above. A readable technical book that will stretch
our minds. The only regret is the lack of an index.
Reviews by John
Smith, Chair CTIC Environment Group
2010 Year of Biodiversity:
Short
Biodiviersity Article for Church and Parish Magazines:
One of a
series of easily understood articles which can be used in your local
magazine. The article includes 5 action suggestions to help sustain
biodiversity:
1. Go for a walk, sit
in the garden, be aware of the beauty and diversity of nature in our own
neighbourhood.
2. Join a wildlife
organisation – or better, severa l and set aside time to campaign on some
wildlife issue.
3. Eat less meat and
dairy. The Amazon is being cut down to grow Soya to export to feed out
cattle, and thus produce our milk.
4.
Buy “Rainforest Certified” and “Fair Trade” products and FSC (Forest
Stewardship Council) timber, and make an issue of choosing these products.
5. If you have savings in stocks and
shares type ISAs make sure they are not being invested in industries that
are destroying habitats.
For more information and the full
article: live link to:
http://www.christian-ecology.org.uk/m1003.htm
Global News
We are all encouraged to pray and give to the Haiti
Disaster Appeal. All Churches and Christian Aid Agencies (and other
faith and non faith agencies) are involved in the international response.
Go to their home websites (see Links Page under our Resources Section) to
find out how you can pray or give, or you can
give directly to the DEC (Disasters Emergency Appeal) appeal.
A panel of independent experts has officially
begun its inquiry into the "Climategate" affair. For more information
go to: live link to:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8510498.stm
See Christian and multi faith reflections on the great
disappointment following the Copenhagen Talks. See video clips;
reflecting and moving forward - from Mark Dowd of
Operation Noah and
Odyssey
Networks, the multi faith organisation
'We don't know what God has written on our foreheads'.
See and hear this new photo story (collaboration between
Tearfund and Greenpeace) from the mouth of the Ganges river.
As part of the BBC Climate Chaos season they are
showing eight short films dealing with climate change around the world. The
films will be available
here the day after they are broadcast.
Keep Up To Date: 'Habitat' - Daily Environmental and Climate Change News: If you have news for this site, either Local, National or Global please contact us
