During the Conservatives conference week, it has emerged that they would cancel the proposed controversial 3rd runway at Heathrow Airport and instead build a £20 billion high speed rail link from London to the North.
They don't appear to have stated what they propose to do with regional airports though, this may become clearer later when the details are released. The media report that they are against further expansion of Gatwick and Stansted.
The Global Carbon Project has reported that the growth in carbon emissions has quadrupled since 2000. The failure to cut emissions is largely due to compromises made in order to maintain unsustainable relatively high standards of living based on fossil fuel usage.
Instead of cutting emissions so that there is a 'recession' in carbon emissions, minor manipulations in energy use and resource consumption have resulted in continued growth in emissions. This of course will have catastrophic consequences for future generations. In fact many adults today will see the first serious changes in climate, food production, health, flooding etc. within their life time. The more emissions we produce, the more likely we will see serious events sooner rather than later.
As long as emissions continue to rise, cities like Portsmouth are put at extreme risk as more ice melts and weather systems change. If you are concerned about the consequences, then feel free to join PCAN and its campaign.
The third tidal system to be installed this year in British waters should be producing some power soon. Pulse Tidal has installed an innovative prototype tidal energy system in the Humber Estuary. Eliminating the need for rotating blades, it promises to be suitable for shallower waters. Tidal systems are likely to be a way of producing energy in the Solent area in the future, reducing dependency on imported fuels and reducing carbon emissions.
Proving it is possible to produce fashionable shoes and clothing made from recycled materials in Europe, Worn Again are finally shifting production out of China and the company will base its manufacturing facilities in Portugal. The footwear was originally sourced in China, but Worn Again have been making an effort to move production nearer to 'home' and after this Autumn, even the footwear will be manufactured closer to the UK. In fact they plan to make footwear in the UK sometime in the not to distant future.
At the same time, the web site has been redesigned and a new range of products are launched.
In the past, the company had been criticised for using Chinese production facilities and David Cameron in particular got some stick for wearing a pair of Worn Again trainers made in China. Worn Again also operate a web site called The Nag which allows anyone to sign up for monthly hints advising how to cut carbon footprints and make the earth a better place.
In his speech to the Labour Party Conference yesterday, Gordon Brown signalled support for the 80% cuts in CO2 emissions we've all been calling for.
Mr Brown said he had asked the Climate Change Committee - which is considering whether such a large cut is feasible - to report by next month instead of the end of the year.
It will allow the Committee to make its recommendation while the Climate Change Bill is still before Parliament and in time for the target figure to be raised significantly.
The move was immediately welcomed by environmental groups who have been pressing for much bigger cuts in emissions.
Take some time to view this educational film by Leo Murray from the Royal College of Art. It explains some of the climate change science issues using skillful animated visuals:
