St Martin Primary School creates educational and play garden

September 7th, 2012 by Lagan Construction Group

Headteacher Cate Mason and Edwin Ryan from Lagan Construction Group with some of the garden designers in the raised platform, which is currently under construction. (Please click image to expand - image courtesy of Lagan Construction Group)

St Martin Primary School is creating a garden combining play and educational areas.

The garden, which was initially designed by pupils in Year 3 and developed by parent Vanessa Crispini–Adams and local architect Paul Langlois, has been funded by a donation of £1,500 from Lagan Construction Group and money from the PTA.

“The school didn’t have a garden area and we wanted to create something that would attract wildlife, support indigenous plants and trees and provide an area where children could learn and have fun,” said headteacher Cate Mason. Continue reading

High nutrient inputs exacerbate acidification of coastal waters

November 24th, 2011 by Nature

High nutrient levels could make coastal waters more susceptible to ocean acidification, suggests a study, ‘Acidification of subsurface coastal waters enhanced by eutrophication‘, published online in Nature Geoscience.

sewage entering Belle Greve Bay on 1 June 2009 (click image to expand - ©RLLord)

Alongside atmospheric inputs of carbon dioxide, human inputs of nutrients to the coastal ocean can lead to an increase in the acidity of these waters. Continue reading

GE Launches Phase II Multi Million Euro Open Innovation Challenge

January 28th, 2011 by Science Business

GE (NYSE: GE) today launched the second phase of its ecomagination Challenge, seeking partnerships with European researchers and innovators. Called Powering Your Home, GE has set aside a $200 million fund to invest globally into promising start-ups and breakthrough ideas for home energy creation, management and use.

GE and its venture capital partners will also be awarding five cash prizes of $100,000 to the most innovative ideas received. Proposals are sought in two broad categories of the eco-home: energy efficiency, including management software, appliances and air conditioning; and renewable power, including solar, wind, hydro and biomass.

GE will be accepting submissions for Powering Your Home until March 1, 2011

Continue reading

Making music out of junk

January 14th, 2011 by Richard Lord

For more videos that make one rethink waste visit the whatiswaste website.