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Today during our lunch at a local restaurant we discussed a spectrum of issues surrounding the environmental effects of modern living. Whilst eating lamb burgers and curly fries we put forward solutions to all things wrong with the world. Here are some of the issues covered:-
PROBLEM: Fossil fuels.
SOLUTION(s):
Self powered houses harnessing solar power, the roof could be covered in solar panels for example, and wind energy. Hydrogen powered cars expelling drinkable water as a bi-product. Nuclear power stations increasing the available electricity without any immediate issues. Wind turbines in favourable locations such as out at sea or my back garden.
In short we came up with the most unoriginal answers that were all flawed either by the nuclear waste that our descendants will have to clean up, the eco-volatile power used to create fuel for Hydrogen cars, wind turbines only working when its windy and are considered a nuisance by some and the fact that not all people want to alter their houses for the greater good.
PROBLEM: Litter and general household waste.
SOLUTION(s):
Recycling was the favourite solution. But I fear that this too is flawed, how do you define recycling? Is it shipped somewhere else and dumped? Is it too costly to recycle products? Is the power used during recycling eco-friendly?
We hit many barriers to 34SP.com saving the world, and so ate food instead.
We would be interested in hearing any environmental problems and potential solutions from you, our customers. Feel free to comment away!
January 9th, 2006 at 3:14 pm
I’m all for recycling, i tend to pass on stuff like the loo roll bits and cards to nursery, I cringe at the thought of throwing away bottles, and plastic bottles, but, not all of them are can be recycled. will we gain from recycling? to transport the recycled goods to the recycling place would cost fuel, and thats not economical. and what if the council had some sort of recycle collection, other than paper, would that help? surely it would cost more to collect the stuff from the households, besides that, the bins are probaly made from non recycled plastics,
shame really, i guess, i’ll stick to making cardboard castles, and traffic lights out of plastic water bottles, and windmills out of bottles newspaper and the like, its recycling i guess, reduce re-use recycle.!
January 12th, 2006 at 6:58 pm
If you really want some answers you should go and visit the centre for alternative technology in wales.
In terms of fossil fuel there are multiple answers but right now it would be a good idea to use less of it rather than worry about extreme solutions:
- buy an efficient car, like a Smart car or a toyota prius (60mpg)
- share a car (I’ve shared one with a work colleague for 3 years)
- ride a bike more
- burn wood in a wood stove (best to pick up the wood locally). Wood is surface carbon so burning it isnt a huge problem
- switch off computer monitors at night and save up to 8lbs of carbon
- solar water heating is another idea, different than photovoltaic
- buy food locally. Buying ‘organic’ food from Argentia if you live in England is not environmentally smart. One of the biggest eco things that Bedzed did was to grow their own food. Food miles are terrible
- be careful where you buy wood too. A huge proportion of wood and paper (even A4 printer paper) in the UK is imported from illegal logging activities. Buy FSC wood and paper or recycled!
In terms of waste, it’s complicated but one thing you can do easily, if you have a bit of garden is to have a compost heap. Not as difficult as it sounds. Just wrap your veggie waste in newspaper and that nitrogen and carbon mixture makes a fine compost receipe.
It’s a good idea to recycle when you go shopping too and buying recycled products completes the loop, creating demand for recycled plastic lumber for example.
Just a few thoughts - a good new years lunch discussion you lot!
January 18th, 2006 at 6:29 pm
Hi guys,
I’m glad you get the chance to take some time off for lunch, and debate such lofty issues while you do it
I’d say Carl above has a pretty good recipe for sustainable living, and one I’d very much support. In terms of 34SP saving the world, where does all the power come from that keeps the servers running all day and night? Does it come from a supplier that buys units from renewable sources? If not, then that would be a great thing to arrange, and would be a fantastic selling point.
One other thing, for people who are into computing but don’t need massive computational power (and hey, who needs a P4 for surfing and emailing?), you can help save the world by building and using systems based on the Mini-ITX form factor with VIA EPIA motherboards; they have really low power requirements compared to regular systems.
Anyway guys, keep up the good work, and all the best for 2006.
Tom.
February 14th, 2006 at 5:25 pm
i think most electricity supply companies have a green tariff, here in wales SWALEC does the RSPB tariff which costs no more than normal, you just have to sign up for it and they buy your electricity from green sources. its nothing special, but i think if the infrastructure is already in place you should use that rather than going for individual power generation schemes (ie from windmills or solar power) it may not have the same ‘image’ value but in the long run its probably more eco friendly … cheers
grainger
February 26th, 2006 at 12:37 pm
On top of what grainger said, nPower have their Juice tariff, which is a compact made with Greenpeace to sustain the usage of their customers signed up for Juice electricity by purchasing it from the North Hoyle Wind Farm off the Cornwall coast. Costs no more than the standard tariff, but it helps “do your bit” for eco issues.