Posts Tagged ‘volunteer’
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Should we go to Greenland for oil?
By Chris Perkiss
Greenland happy to be the new oil frontier!
OK, so this is my first blog but I saw this and couldn’t help but to get confused and want to express it! It’s no secret that as a race, indeed as a species, we have to change the way we live order to maintain this planet as we know it. If anything is important in our quest to change our ways, it’s the need to decrease our reliance on oil. Not only for its obvious uses in transport fuels and the like, but also its use in the production of plastics, especially in the unnecessary packaging of goods.
In this materialistic and consumerist society we find ourselves in, I see the benefit of new oil, but the fact that we are even still looking for it sends me into despair. With the threat of ‘peak oil’ growing, it has never been a better time to change our ways and for industry to look elsewhere for alternative means of meeting demand.
Going back to Greenland, are all the people there really happy about this? Fair enough it can change the reliance of their small economy but has it really come to tarnishing one of the last untouched havens in the world? The most ironic thing about this story is the location. Although the oil lies beneath, it is the surface that I worry about. Ultimately, the oil will be used in ways which will inevitable feed back to the ice on top which will melt into our oceans and cause all sorts of bother. I can’t help but to be disheartened by the discovery of new oil, I personally feel that we are stuck in a way that cant be changed. I really hope that by 2050, a shift in social consciousness had occurred and called upon industry to change and we avoid the dangerous 2 degrees barrier
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The Only Superhero The World Needs
During the early 90’s, Superhero cartoons and TV shows were kicking ass. There was the Marvel cartoons of Spiderman and X-men, Power Rangers and this guyCAPTAIN PLANET.
The most righteous, camp, mullet haired superhero ever!
He has no clear super ability, so he is able to do basically anything!In addition he taunts baddies with puns and has the amazing catchphrase of – The Power Is Yours.
So what’s his deal then
Gaia (Mother Earth) wakes up and finds out that the human race is destroying the planet, so she sends out 5 magic rings that control elements of nature (Earth, Wind, Fire, Water and Heart) to 5 special youngsters named the planeteers, who then travel the world defeating the bad guys. If they are really in trouble they put the power of the 5 rings together and BAM, Captain Planet saves the day.
FACT: Many famous actors voiced characters in the 113 episodes – Jeff Goldblum, Meg Ryan, Whoopie Goldberg, Sting, Dan Ackroyd & Elizabeth Taylor
the Eco-Villains are the best though.
- Hoggish Greedly: Pig like human representing overconsumption
- Looten Plunder: Greedy businessman representing uncontrolled capitalism
- Duke Nukem: A radioactive mutant to do with nuclear power
- Verminous Skumm: A rat creature representing poor sanitation
- Dr. Blight: Mad scientist who uses uncontrolled technology
- Captain Pollution: Opposite of Captain Plant (obviously) He once reproduced the 5 rings into evil versions of Radiation, Deforestation, Smog, Toxics and Hate.
FACT: Has the title for first ever kids cartoon, to deal with HIV/Aids and to mention sex.
The episodes are very over-the-top. In the episode ‘Polluting by Computer’ the Eco-Villains break into the government computer system and change all the National Parks stats so they can dump toxic waste there……..OK some of you are now saying that’s not that far fetched.
It would be great if Captain Planet returns to the screen. Teaching more kids about the issues around climate change, waste, sanitation and all things sustainable. Its message would be as clear as ever, as every kid knows about recycling and wind-farm these days. I think they just need two more Eco-Villains. one to do with oil and the other to do with government.
Who else agrees with me?
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You may know more than you think
By Climate Squad volunteer, Zoe Smithson
Climate Change is everywhere, on the news, on the internet, in politics, everyone is aware of it, talking and learning about the it consequences, and how to take action. More and more young people today attend University and live the student lifestyle; drinking, going out, eating rubbish food, and sometimes just being a bit careless. They may not realise but they are probably learning about the affects of climate change in their chosen subject, such as Politics and International Relations, Architecture and Design, Engineering, and science just to name a few.
I am an Intern for Climate Squad at Global Action Plan, and I came here knowing the basic information about climate change and how to act like recycling, turning off lights - all things to cut carbon emissions, which can be prevented in your everyday lifestyle. When I thought about my course at University where I study Interior Design, I came to realise that I have been learning how to design for the future, eco-friendly design, sustainability, renewable materials and Human Centred Design. It is design for the future; it is for you to be aware of, as it is happening. Architecture releases a huge amount of carbon emissions per year that to cut carbon emissions, everyone has to build in a more eco-friendly way.
Sustainable architecture is a term used to describe designing that seeks to minimize the negative environmental impact of buildings, by using renewable materials, solar panels, heating, cooling and ventilation in a way to save energy and costs, and for a greener way of life. Sustainability is also a large discussion in the pressing economic and political issues of the world today, so whatever profession you would like to be in, you will come across debate about climate change. In simpler terms, sustainable, ecological design is to ensure that our actions and decisions we make today do not inhibit the opportunities of future generations. The future is in our hands, build for a brighter future, learn, and life live in a greener positive way and be more conscious of your actions.
To sum up, to all University students like myself, be more aware of the goings on around you, because climate change is a huge issue, and you have to know about - take action to change the future as we are the future generation. There is always something you can do and somewhere you can help, teach and learn to cut the affects of climate change. Start by joining www.climatesquad.org.uk and volunteer your time to help and make a difference.
Help build your future at our “Create your future” workshops where we will seek your vision of a low carbon 2050 so we can create the climate for change.
17th, 19th, 25th August and 1st September! - To register call Heather on 0207 420 4441 or e-mail climate.squad@globalactionplan.org.uk.
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Mud, Music and Manpower - IOW festival
Climate Squad volunteer Louise heads to the Isle of Wight festival 2010 for some…
Mud, Music & Manpower
By Louise Groom, Climate Squad Steering Group volunteer
What I was up to
I was lucky enough to head to the Isle of Wight last weekend for Climate Squad with V Inspired’s Summer of Give festival tour to talk to people about Climate Squad and all the cool (and free!) stuff young people can get from it such as skills training, certificates, fun times as well as meeting new people in their area and feeling good about cutting carbon and protecting our environment.
Pedal faster people
We went with Global Action Plan’s energy bike which you pedal (like a normal exercise bike) and generate energy to power various appliances such as your iPod or charge your phone which went down REALLY well at the festival! Loads of young people loved the bike (especially feeling the difference between powering old and new light bulbs) and once we got talking everyone was really keen to find out more and generally chat about climate change and cutting carbon. This was really motivating but meant I was knackered and lost my voice by the end of the festival! Late nights and screaming to the likes of the Strokes probably didn’t help….
PHOTOS: Check out Charlie from Kiss fm on the energy bike and some other awesome people I met:
Amazing skills
As we were with V’s big purple bus, we got to see all the incredibly talented volunteers playing around on the decks, mics, bass6 (amazing beatboxer - check him out) as well as superhuman football tricks, very bendy cheerleaders and some awesome bands!
PHOTOS: Some of V’s amazingly talented volunteers entertaining and showing how volunteering can be fun and help develop & support skilled young people (www.vinspired.com)
Big thanks and why it’s important
Overall, I had a wicked weekend and it really made me realise how so many young people want to be involved with projects such as Climate Squad and how important it is that we get out there and help them get involved, build up their CV and also…enjoy!!
Big thanks to V inspired for the great tunes & entertainment and Climate Squad for giving me the opportunity to go to a fantastic festival!
Get involved in festival fun
Climate Squad and V will be all over the place this summer so come and see us or if you’re interesting in volunteering with us, take a look at our opportunities or get in touch with climate.squad@globalactionplan.org.uk:
★ T4 On the Beach on 4th July
★ Y Not, Peak District - 30th Jul-1st Aug
★ Relentless Boardmasters, Newquay - 3rd-8th August
★ Celtic Blue Rock, South Wales - 6th-8th Aug
★ Relentless Boardmasters on 4th - 8th August
★ V Festival Chelmsford and/or Weston-Under-Lizard - 20th - 22nd August
★ Creamfields on 28th - 29th AugustFestivals we’ve been at:
Camden Green
Festival of Nature
Isle of Wight festival
Charlie from KissFM
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Algae powerhouses to provide future biofuels
By Nick AbbottThe not-for-profit government funded charity, The Carbon Trust, recently revealed that a team of 70 scientists from 11 of Britain’s leading research universities will join to compete in a global race to produce revolutionary and alternative algae biofuels.
Algae have the ability to act as environmentally friendly miniature “biofuel factories”. They can produce high levels of natural oils from solar energy which can then be used to produce biodiesel.
With the cost of oil reaching a recent high of $140 per barrel, and the recent formation of the UK climate change act which made plans to reduce carbon emissions by at least 80% by 2050, this new research into alternative carbon-neutral fuels arrives at an important time.
Current predictions suggest that, per year, 70 billion litres of fossil fuel (coal, oil, and gas) used for road transport and flights could be replaced by algae biofuels by 2030. This will save 160 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
Algae are able to produce up to 10x more oil for biofuel production per hectare of land when compared to current agricultural crop choices. The current problem is reducing the overall cost of the process by increasing the algae oil production, finding the most efficient method of large scale algae growth and the best method of harvesting the essential oils.
The University of Sheffield, who hold the important task of choosing the correct algal strain and maximising the production of oil from the algae, are a cornerstone to the success of the Algae Biofuels Challenge. “We aim to develop a set of experimental techniques that allow the identification of suitable algal strains capable of producing high levels of natural oils and happy to be grown in large outdoor ponds” said a spokesman and lead researcher at the university. Other researchers are developing the best methods of large scale algae growth and looking at how to harvest the natural oils produced by the algae.
This mammoth project, if successful, would require algae ponds to be built which would cover a land mass larger than Wales. The final production ponds are likely to be overseas to maximise natural resources available. Mid-western USA or Western Australia, where open land is abundant and long hours of sunlight common which is key to algae growth, are likely locations
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London EcoBarbie #3 Food
LONDON ECO BARBIE –
Life’s not fair but at least my pants are..By Amy Whitney
Raring to go, lunch packed using left overs saves waste. Gloating to fellow course mates I save the fiver they fritter away on lunch, definitely justifies the handbags.
Dinner is homemade soya mince chilli, dubious whether rainforests are exterminated to provide for the world’s vegetarians I investigate. “Brazil the worlds second largest soy exporter responds to surging demand converting rainforest into agricultural land, impacting environmental stability” (Story 2006).
I refuse to touch red meat, currently burdening our NHS with CHD victims. Switching to vegetarian food lessens cattle methane emissions and reduces grain prices for the worlds poorest.“Livestock production accounts for fifth of total greenhouse gas emissions.” (McMichael 2007). Vegetarianism decreases the West’s impact on climate change; however I cannot quite shake a love for seafood, worsening future aquatic biodiversity. Sometimes you cannot win.
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