Category Archives: climate change

One thing we have learnt this week- the big energy debate

The Guardian has started a year long project called “the big energy debate”.  What is worrying and interesting is that despite the fuss over energy prices over the last year how disengaged people are from all the whole energy problem.  … Continue reading

Posted in climate change, energy costs, One thing we have learnt this week | Leave a comment

Renewable energy breaks new records

Renewable energy breaks new records in the UK, Germany and the US.  Last weekend on Sunday, its estimated that 75% of Germany’s electricity came from a a mixture of biomass, wind, solar and hydro.  And it wasn’t even a particularly sunny … Continue reading

Posted in climate change, energy costs, Peak oil, Renewables | Leave a comment

magic bullets

The other week the news was full of how bad diesel cars were for the environment, diesel cars being one the latest green magic bullets.  Apparently particulates from diesel engines not only harm our immediate environment but also add to … Continue reading

Posted in Book, climate change, Fracking, Nuclear, Renewables, Transport, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

eating meat

Is eating meat sustainable?  This controversial subject has been raised again in a couple of recent academic studies.  However, like most areas to do with the environment the whole subject of eating meat is more complicated and less open and … Continue reading

Posted in climate change, Food, Peak oil, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

One thing we have learnt this week – coal mining

Coal mining is still big business. It was announced this week that the Queensland government has given the go ahead for a super mine (Carmichael) in the Galilee region of this state. Unfortunately its not just burning the coal that … Continue reading

Posted in climate change, coal, One thing we have learnt this week, Renewables | Tagged | Leave a comment

solar hot water payback

Solar hot water payback is possible.  In the summer of 2008 I was helping man a transition stall when a very posh woman told me that my solar PV system would never pay for itself.  She said should know since … Continue reading

Posted in climate change, Economics, energy costs, gas, Peak oil, Practical low carbon living, Renewables, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The traditional sources

In my last look at the BP Statistical Review of World Energy data I will have a look at the traditional sources of energy (if you can call them that).  These are hydro and coal but we will also have … Continue reading

Posted in climate change, energy costs, other, Peak oil | Leave a comment

Relentless rise in energy consumption

The latest BP Statistical Review of World Energy shows the world is continuing to undergo a relentless rise in energy consumption.  If anything the rate of energy consumption is increasing.  The only time in recent years this relentless rise in … Continue reading

Posted in climate change, energy costs, gas, Peak oil, Renewables | Leave a comment

One thing we have learnt this week- Obama’s new climate plan.

The big news this week is that Obama’s new climate plan has been announced.  At long last and not before time…  The scheme is a sort of cap and trade one but one on a state by state basis.  So … Continue reading

Posted in climate change, One thing we have learnt this week | Leave a comment

One thing we have learnt this week – agrihoods

Agrihoods- neighbourhoods and communities based around (usually) urban farms.  No I’d never heard of them either until this week.  One of the big problems with peak oil is our current food systems oil dependency. We have covered this in our … Continue reading

Posted in climate change, Food, One thing we have learnt this week, Peak oil | Leave a comment