UK electrical energy storage roll-out requires apt regulatory framework

January 31st, 2012 by Bloomberg New Energy Finance

Energy storage has long been regarded as a transforming technology for the future, enabling the better integration of intermittent renewable electricity such as wind and solar power, without requiring more high-cost peaking capacity.

A report published to clients by analysis company Bloomberg New Energy Finance has found that the breakthrough for storage could be closer than previously thought – thanks in large part to an expected drop in battery prices over the coming few years. Continue reading

Guernsey Mind fund raising quiz at Les Cotils on 16 March 2012

January 30th, 2012 by Guernsey Mind

The “Nearly” St Patrick’s Day Quiz in aid of Guernsey Mind takes place in the Harry Bound Room, Les Cotils Christian Centre, St Peter Port beginning at 7 pm on 16 March 2012.

(Please click on the image to download the PDF flyer)

There will be teams of six people and the cost is £10 per head. Continue reading

WildGuernsey Wild food foraging workshops in winter & spring 2012

January 30th, 2012 by Events

WildGuernsey guests sharing wild food at Pouquelaie Vinery (click image to expand - image courtesy of WildGuernsey)

12 February 2012

WildGuernsey at Pouquelaie Vinery, Rocquaine Road, St Pierre du Bois, Guernsey offers an ‘Introduction to WildFood Foraging‘ on Sunday 12 February 2012 from 1 pm to 4 pm.  The £30 course includes tapas.

11 March 2012 Continue reading

Lloyds TSB Foundation provides financial support for Criminal Justice Alcohol Service

January 30th, 2012 by Drug and Alcohol Strategy

More offenders will be able to benefit from help and support from the Criminal Justice Alcohol Service (CJAS) from the start of 2012 thanks to new funding from the Lloyds TSB Foundation for the Channel Islands.

The Foundation has promised £30,000 to match the £30,000 pledged by Guy Hands and Terra Firma.

The funding from both sources will go towards the salary of, at present, a part-time worker over three years from 2012 to 2014. This means that the service will expand from 18 hours a week to become a full-time service. Continue reading

Beaches receive microplastic from machine washing synthetic fabrics

January 29th, 2012 by University College Dublin

Microplastic, polyester and acrylic particles of less than one millimetre in size, released from synthetic fabrics during machine washing, is contaminating the world’s shorelines.

Microplastics released from synthetic fabrics during the wash cycle enter the wastewater stream and contaminate beaches (click image to expand - ©RLLord)

According to a study led by Dr Mark Anthony Browne now with the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) in Santa Barbara, California, over 1,900 fibres can wash off a single piece of clothing during a machine wash cycle and end up on the shoreline. Continue reading

Broadest worldwide study to date shows complexity and variability of ocean acidification

January 29th, 2012 by UC Santa Barbara

Might a penguin’s next meal be affected by your car exhaust?

The answer may be yes, when you add your exhaust fumes to the total amount of carbon dioxide lofted into the atmosphere by humans since the start of the industrial revolution.

Car exhaust gases contribute to climate change and ocean acidification (click image to expand - ©RLLord)

One-third of that carbon dioxide is absorbed by the world’s oceans, making them more acidic and affecting marine life.

A UC Santa Barbara marine scientist and a team of 18 other researchers have reported results of the broadest worldwide study of ocean acidification to date. Continue reading

Ellie Harrison of BBC’s Countryfile goes ormering around Lihou Island

January 27th, 2012 by Richard Lord

Richard Curtis, Lihou Island Warden, shows Ellie Harrison of BBC’s Countryfile some of the edible seaweeds growing inter-tidally around Lihou Island (click image to expand – ©RLLord)

BBC One’s Countryfile came to Guernsey in early January 2012 to film island life.

Countryfile presenter Ellie Harrison searched the intertidal area around Lihou Island off Guernsey’s west coast for the ormer, Haliotis tuberculata, which is a large marine snail that is a culinary delicacy. Continue reading

Channel Islands Skills Academy workshop on Corporate Social Responsibility on 24 February 2012

January 27th, 2012 by Events

(click on logo to go to CISA website)

On 24 February 2012, in a day-long workshop, the Channel Islands Skills Academy offers a Chartered Management Institute Award in Corporate Social Responsibility.

The workshop takes place at St James, St Peter Port, Guernsey from 9 am to 5 pm. The cost is £495.

This Chartered Management Institute (CMI) accredited award is designed for all those involved in the development and implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities within their organisation.

Upon completion of the day long workshop delegates will be able to:

• Understand the development and alignment of a Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy
• Understand how to implement a Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy for maximum impact for all stakeholder groups
• Understand the evaluation, impact and reinforcement of the Corporate Social Responsibility strategy

Upon completion of this workshop, delegates will receive a certificated award from CMI and membership to the Institute for one year.

To find out more about this workshop, or to reserve a place please contact the administration team at enquiries @cisa.gg or call 01481 244904

Living Streets Guernsey produces new country walks greeting cards

January 27th, 2012 by Living Streets Guernsey

(click image to download PDF flyer)

Living Streets Guernsey has expanded their collection of very popular Guernsey country walks greeting cards with the addition of five more each showing a map of a rural walk with a photograph taken along the route. Continue reading

Global oil production can no longer keep up if demand continues to rise

January 27th, 2012 by Nature

The impact of dwindling oil supplies on the economy is a persuasive argument for shifting away from fossil fuels, write Professor James Murray and Sir David King in a Comment piece in Nature published on 26 January 2012.

Guernsey oil tanks reflected in a street mirror in St Sampson (click image to expand - ©RLLord)

There was a ‘tipping point’ for oil in 2005. Before then, Continue reading