The pastoral pleasure of a summer evening bicycle ride through Forest and St Pierre du Bois

May 25th, 2011 by Richard Lord

Fifteen bicyclists participated in the first of the Guernsey Bicycle Group's summer evening rides (click image to expand - ©RLLord)

Francis Paul, Guernsey Bicycle Group Chairman, led bicyclists through parish lanes of Forest and St Pierre du Bois.

He stopped at regular intervals to show parish landmarks and explain parish history.

The bright blue sky and cool early evening air was perfect for a gentle bicycle ride along parish lanes. Continue reading

The PlanLoCaL website and resource pack offers effective tools for communities embarking on low-carbon projects

May 25th, 2011 by Centre for Sustainable Energy

(Click on the image to go to the PlanLoCal website)

A new website and resource pack aimed at helping communities to influence local planning policy and contribute to a low-carbon future, has been produced by the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE).

Called PlanLoCaL, or ‘planning for low-carbon living’, the project includes a website which is full of useful information and downloads for UK communities and groups who are investigating energy projects or who are looking to become a low carbon community. Continue reading

The challenge of achieving national carbon budgets

May 24th, 2011 by Shaun Chamberlin

Shaun Chamberlin, TEQs Development Director, discusses the challenge of achieving the UKs national carbon budgets.

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As those who follow UK climate policy will be aware, the big news this month has been the UK Government’s decision on whether or not to accept the independent Committee on Climate Change (CCC)’s advice on national carbon targets.

For the first time, there were Ministerial objections to adopting their recommendations, but in the end they agreed to sign up to the headline 50% reduction in emissions (compared to 1990) by 2025.

This is good news, but underneath the headlines there are three significant shortcomings:

i) They did not accept the CCC‘s advice to tighten the budgets for the coming years 2013-2023, making the speed of emissions reductions incumbent on future Governments very challenging indeed. Continue reading

Promoting the goal of a Zero Carbon Britain by 2030

May 24th, 2011 by Campaign against Climate Change

Campaign against Climate Change has designated 16 July 2011 as a day to promote the goal of a Zero Carbon Britain by 2030.  This event will raise awareness of the need to reduced carbon emissions.

The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) in Wales has worked on a strategy to reduce carbon emissions as quickly as possible.  Based on this work it published Zero Carbon Britain 2030.  An eight page summary of the report is available. Continue reading

Recession creates new attitude towards reducing energy use amongst US consumers and businesses

May 24th, 2011 by Deloitte LLP

(click on report cover to go to report download page)

A study from Deloitte shows the emergence of a diligent new attitude toward energy consumption in the United States.

According to the study, 52 percent of companies are working to reduce their energy costs by 25 percent on average over the next two to three years.

Concurrently, an increasingly sophisticated consumer demographic is looking for household savings in a tight economy. According to the study, 68 percent of consumers are taking extra steps to cut their electric bills because of the recession. Continue reading

Making a business case for an energy and sustainability manager

May 24th, 2011 by Vicky Kenrick

Vicky Kenrick of Allen & York, the international sustainability recruitment consultancy, looks at the development of the Energy and Sustainability role within organisations.  She identifies how energy and sustainability issues are currently tackled in organisations , and explores the key benefits of employing a dedicated Energy and Sustainability Manager, with reference to the triple bottom line as well as the strategic implications for a business.

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Many organisations can become disconnected in the way in which Energy and Sustainability is managed and significant environmental and financial benefits can be lost through corporate disconnects.

Sustainability has become a mantra for the 21st century. It embodies the promise of societal and business evolution towards a more equitable and wealthy world in which the natural environment and our cultural and corporate achievements are aligned. Continue reading

Wonderful fun had by children and parents alike at St Peter Port’s Mad Hatters Children’s Street Festival

May 21st, 2011 by Richard Lord

Mansell Street in The Old Quarter of St Peter Port, Guernsey was filled with parents and children enjoying the Mad Hatters Children’s Street Festival on Saturday 21 May.

Crowds of parents and children enjoyed fun and food at the Mad Hatters Children's Street Festival in The Old Quarter of St Peter Port (click image to expand - ©RLLord)

Continue reading

Mad Hatters Children’s Festival thrives in The Old Quarter of St Peter Port

May 21st, 2011 by Richard Lord

The Mad Hatters Children’s Street Festival on 21 May 2011 organised by Genevieve Langford of The Gallery and Deirdre Dudley-Owen provided a showcase of local food and Guernsey arts and crafts.

Perfect bright blue sky weather greeted visitors to the cobbled street of The Old Quarter of St. Peter Port.

The top end of Mansell Street was a hive of activity as parents chatted while children enjoyed the bouncy castle (click image to expand - ©RLLord)

Continue reading

An introduction to the electric car

May 21st, 2011 by Michael Boxwell

It seems every week electric cars are hitting the headlines. From car makers showing their latest concepts, governments announcing new incentive schemes and announcements of new technology breakthroughs, electric cars appear to be everywhere. Yet when was the last time you saw an electric car on the road?

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is one of the first mainstream electric cars available. It has space for four people, rapid performance and a range of up to 93 miles on a single charge (click image to expand - ©Michael Boxwell)

The chances are you may never have seen one at all. Despite Guernsey being home to its own Electric Vehicles Company, electric cars on the island are currently few and far between.

Yet with the concern about the environment and dwindling oil supplies, electric cars are now back on the agenda.

The first of these cars are now on sale: Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot and Citroen all sell electric cars.

Ford, Renault, Volvo and TATA are all planning to launch their own models in the coming months. Continue reading

Guernsey Tree Wardens look after Norway maples at Les Cotils in St Peter Port

May 21st, 2011 by Richard Lord

Guernsey Tree Wardens (left to right) Gill Darling, Rhoderick Matthews, and Julia Meredith accompany Tree Warden co-ordinator Andrew McCutcheon (in green shirt) in watering Norway maples at Les Cotils (click image to expand - ©RLLord)

The Guernsey Society of the Men of the Trees planted 14 Norway maples as part of the Men of the Trees Urban Tree Scheme at Les Cotils in St Peter Port in 2010.  The Norway maples were chosen for their autumn leaf colour.

The recently planted standards (tree size with a clear stem of 1.8 metres) do not have an adequate root system to prosper during prolonged periods of dry weather, which Guernsey is experiencing this spring.  Watering is necessary for newly planted trees but as their root system develops watering becomes less necessary.

The Guernsey Tree Wardens have been watering these newly planted trees on a regular basis during the period of dry weather.

Andrew McCutcheon, Guernsey Tree Warden Co-ordinator wrote “I determine the need to water by using the “Irrigation Index” on the Guernsey Weather website.

If, seven days after the last watering, the irrigation index shows a deficit (negative figure) which is greater (ie more negative) than around minus 13 mm on the seven day figure then the trees should be watered.

The decision to water will be based on other factors too – such as how recently rain has fallen and whether significant rain is forecast within two to three days of the planned day of watering.”

The Channel Islands Co-operative Society Ltd. provided The Guernsey Society for the Men of the Trees with a grant to enable them to plant the Norway maples.

The Guernsey Tree Warden Scheme is supported by the Insurance Corporation of the Channel Islands.