I recently came across this interesting article on the sustainablebuild website. I enjoyed reading it and thought it was worth sharing with the BuilderScrap readers.

The concept of a green building was developed in the 1970s in response to the energy crisis and people’s growing concerns about the environment. The need to save energy and mitigate environmental problems fostered a wave of green building innovation that has continued to this day.

Green buildings and green building products are not easily defined. Often known as sustainable buildings or eco-homes, there is a range of opinion on what can be classed as a green home. It is generally agreed that green buildings are structures that are sited, designed, built, renovated and operated to energy-efficient guidelines, and that they will have a positive environmental, economic and social impact over their life cycle. Green specifications provide a good set of guidelines for the building industry, but these are still in the process of being formalised into UK regulation and many are open to interpretation.

Elements of Eco Building

Four main areas need to be considered in green building: materials, energy, water and health.

Construction Materials

These are obtained from natural, renewable sources that have been managed and harvested in a sustainable way; or they are obtained locally to reduce the embedded energy costs of transportation; or used building supplies or surplus building materials at nearby sites. Materials are assessed using green specifications that look at their Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) in terms of their embodied energy, durability, recycled materials content, waste minimisation, and their ability to be reused or recycled.

Energy

Passive solar design will dramatically reduce the heating and cooling costs of a building, as will high levels of insulation and energy-efficient windows. Natural daylight design reduces a building’s electricity needs, and improves people’s health and productivity. Green buildings also incorporate energy-efficient lighting, low energy appliances, and renewable energy technologies such as wind turbines and solar panels.

Water

Minimising water use is achieved by installing greywater and rainwater catchment systems that recycle water for irrigation or toilet flushing; water-efficient appliances, such as low flow showerheads, self-closing or spray taps; low-flush toilets, or waterless composting toilets. Installing point of use hot water systems and lagging pipes saves on water heating.

Health

Using non-toxic materials and products will improve indoor air quality, and reduce the rate of asthma, allergy and sick building syndrome. These materials are emission-free, have low or no VOC content, and are moisture resistant to deter moulds, spores and other microbes. Indoor air quality is also addressed through ventilation systems and materials that control humidity and allow a building to breathe.

In addition to addressing the above areas, a green building should provide cost savings to the builder and occupants, and meet the broader needs of the community, by using local labour, providing affordable housing, and ensuring the building is sited appropriately for community needs.

A Holistic Approach

Green building requires a holistic approach that considers each component of a building, in relationship to the context of the whole building, whilst considering the impact on the wider environment and community around it. This is a highly complex approach that requires builders, architects and designers to think creatively, using systems integration throughout their work. There are several technology tools and assessment methodologies that can help builders with this process including BREEAM (Building and Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) and EcoHomes.

Building Hope for the Future

Although still in its infancy, building green is a rapidly growing trade. UK regulations now demand that green specifications are met in all new building design and development, as part of their wider sustainable development strategy, and this means that green buildings are emerging throughout the country. In an age threatened by climate change, energy shortages and ever-increasing health problems it makes sense to build homes that are durable, save energy, reduce waste and pollution, and promote health and well-being. A green building is more than a model for sustainable living; it can build hope for the future.

Wind energy will be increased by 13% by the end of 2010 according to new figures.

The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) predicts that 10GW of new wind power to be introduced across Europe this year, taking the capacity to almost 85GW.

Christian Kjaer, chief executive of EWEA said, “We predict another strong year for wind turbine installations in Europe, repeating the high level achieved in 2009, what is encouraging is that, unlike in 2009, the 2010 results consist of orders placed after the start of the financial crisis. This shows continued and strong investor confidence in the technology.”

Kjaer added that it’s too early to say whether, for a third year running, there will be more wind energy capacity installed than any other electricity generating technology, but it is clear that wind energy will be competing for the top spot with new gas power plants. This year up to 1 GW increased capacity is to be installed during the year which is a big increase on the 577 MW installed in 2009.

EWEA expects France and Italy to install around 1 GW each in 2010. Spain are expected not increase their capacity but it will be more than compensated for by the doubling of installation in the new member states – led by Romania and Bulgaria and the massive growth in the UK, particular offshore wind farms. German is expected to be the leader in the market, with the UK a close second.

According to a spending watch dog, after £265 million of tax payer’s money was spent to meet the climate change target, it looks likely we will miss our target.

The money which was used to fund wind, wave or solar sources to generate  more electricity doesn’t seem to be enough to match the 10% target set by the last goverment in 2000.

A report from the National Audit Office said the target is likely to be missed this year, despite direct government grants of £265 million to help energy companies develop the new technologies.

This set back has cast further doubt over the Government’s ability to meet a legally-binding EU target, which is to generate 15% of all energy from renewable sources by 2020.

The latest available data from 2008 shows that only 5.5% was obtained from renewable sources.

Amyas Morse, head of the NAO, pointed out that the Government will have to increase the amount of renewable energy in this country seven fold on 2008 levels to meet the 2020 target.

“At present the 2020 target looks optimistic,” he said.

The Government has been under heavy criticism from Environmental groups for their disappointing performance especially due to the amount of finances they have used from the tax payers.

The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) insisted the UK are confident of hitting their target and also confident about cutting green house gas by 34 per cent by 2020.

The latest figures show the UK has cut greenhouse gas emissions by 28% since 1990.

The world cup is fast approaching so I thought I’d try and find out what South Africa have done in order to lower the environmental impact of the tournament.

An estimated 2.8m tonnes is likely to be released due to the world cup, that’s roughly equivalent to 6,000 space shuttle fights, three quiet years for Mount Etna, or 20 cheeseburgers for every man, woman and child in the UK. An estimated 1.2 million people will see matches live, so that works out at a massive carbon cost of 2.3 tonnes per spectator.

With the support of Global Environment Facility (GEF), the city, Pretoria has launched two projects to help reduce emissions and raise awareness among South Africans and visitors.

In 2008, South Africa began work to update public transportation systems in seven of the nine cities where football matches are being held to lower the potential emissions caused by transportation. The biggest improvements have been the creation of a rapid transit system of buses and the improved infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists.

The plan for South Africa is to maximise the potential of the international investment by leaving a legacy for more extensive improvements of public transport in their cities.

Another big step towards lowering emissions comes from the installation of solar panels and efficient light on the streets, stoplights and billboards in the six cities hosting the event. They are also pushing very hard on creating awareness of climate change and how to prevent wasted energy to the public.

When the competition is over an analysis will be conducted regarding the ecological projects that were introduced relating to the World Cup to determine what was successful and what wasn’t.

According to two major trade associations CIWM and ESA, the Government has a wide range of things they need to address if they hope for waste management to work in the UK; this includes more detailed planning system, getting the finance in place, recognising the potential for energy generation and providing a clear policy framework for the future are among a number of other issues.

CIWM and ESA have both published a list at they feel are priorities and as was expected they both came out with very similar views.

A clear vision on the future of waste management is seen as pivotal for the business to have the confidence it so desperately needs to invest in the sector and a revised planning system to make delivering critical infrastructure a more realistic proposition.

They both agree that the Government needed to realise the potential value of waste as an energy source. The two were also in agreement about finance being of key importance

That’s were there common ground came to end. ESA called for ‘a floor under landfill tax rates to as a long term driver to encourage investment’ and a streamlined procurement process to cut costs for contractors and councils.

CIWM took a more direct approach, saying there was a need for ‘meaningful investment support for new and greener technologies’.

The ESA flagged up three other priority areas – clear incentives for recycling and recovery; improvements in health & safety regulation and ensuring that European directives affecting the industry are transcribed onto the UK’s law books in a timely fashion.

CIWM said it wanted to see ‘clear, strategic objectives that marry together energy, material resources, low carbon and climate change imperatives’ and a greater commitment to enforcement and combating environmental crime.

BuilderScrap is hoping that the issues that both of these companies have risen, will help convince the Government not to allow the problems to continue and instead come up with a solution so that the UK waste management systems can meet the environmental targets as well as realising the potential value of waste. Here at BuilderScrap we recognise that one man’s waste can be of value to others.

Here at BuilderScrap we’ve read a lot of strange things, but the news I read today off the guardian website was one of the more bizarre stories I’ve ever read.

A researching company has received $300,000 from Bill Gates; the money is to go on funding machines to convert sea water into microscopic particles to be sprayed into clouds, it is believed it will increase the whiteness of clouds thus increasing their ability to reflect more sunlight back into space which would lead to the reduction of global warming.

The Gates backed sea trial which if it goes ahead, will be the largest known attempt to geoengineer the climate and will be conducted over an area of 10,000km2.

It has had its fair share of opposition from campaigners, Jim Thomas from Canadian environmental campaigners said “we knew Microsoft was developing cloud applications for computers but we didn’t expect this. Bill Gates and his cloud-wrenching cronies have no right to unilaterally change our seas and skies in this way”.

In March, MPs from the Science and Technology Committee said countries should not be allowed to take unilateral action on geoengineering without consulting the UN. A report on the subject written by The Royal Society last year, warned of the dangers the unknown side-effect of such an experiment, including, change in regional weather and changes in ocean currents.

In the report there were also glimmers of promise as it does have an advantage over different forms of geoengineering due to the fact it could be stopped immediately. Within 10 days nearly all of the particles would have rained down or will have settled out of the atmosphere making the effect very short.

If this was successful it would most likely be introduced over the North and South Poles in order to slow down the increasing speed of the melting caps. It is simply a matter of the unknown. If it is successful it will be a huge step in slowing down climate change, so fingers crossed.

According to the BBC the Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne is now the environment and climate change secretary in Mr. Cameron’s coalition cabinet.

The new British coalition government has yet to announce the policies that Huhne’s department will now enact, but in their manifesto the Liberal Democrats pledged to:

• Reject a new generation of nuclear power stations “based on the evidence nuclear is a far more expensive way of reducing carbon emissions than promoting energy conservation and renewable energy”.
• Block new unabated coal fired power stations.
• Set target to generate 40 per cent of electricity from renewables by 2020, rising to 100 per cent by 2050.
• Invest £400m in upgrading shipyards to support offshore wind and marine energy industry.

The Conservatives are in favour of new build nuclear, but with a Liberal Democrat MP as energy secretary it remains to be seen if the UK’s current plans to build up to ten new reactors will be enacted.

The appointment will be just one of a possible five cabinet posts that Liberal Democrat will be in power of under David Cameron’s government.

Vince Cable is expected to be responsible for business and banks.

George Osborne has also been given the post of chancellor while Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has been given the job of deputy prime minister.

We will continue to keep you updated when we get the information.

Copenhagen climate summit undone by ‘arrogance’  By Richard Black Environment correspondent, BBC News

The “disappointing” outcome of December’s climate summit was largely down to “arrogance” on the part of rich countries, according to Lord Stern.

The economist told BBC News that the US and EU nations had not understood well enough the concerns of poorer nations. But, he said, the summit had led to a number of countries outlining what they were prepared to do to curb emissions. Seventy-three countries have now signed up to the non-binding Copenhagen Accord, the summit’s outcome document.

The weak nature of the document led many to condemn the summit as a failure; but Lord Stern said that view was mistaken. “The fact of Copenhagen and the setting of the deadline two years previously at Bali did concentrate minds, and it did lead… to quite specific plans from countries that hadn’t set them out before,” he said.

“The reality is different from half a year ago Gro Harlem Brundtland” UN special envoy on climate change

Still real, still a problem

“So this process has itself been a key part of countries stating what their intentions on emissions reductions are – countries that had not stated them before, including China and the US.

“So that was a product of the UNFCCC (UN climate convention) process that we should respect.”

The former World Bank chief economist and author of the influential 2006 review into the economics of climate change was speaking to BBC News following a lecture at the London School of Economics (LSE), where he now chairs the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment.

During the lecture, he compared the atmosphere at the Copenhagen summit to student politics in the 1960s – “chaotic, wearing, tiring, disappointing” – and said it was one in which countries had little room for real negotiating.

However, he said, it was vital to stick with the UN process, whatever its frustrations.

Twin tracks

Having failed to agree a treaty to supplant or supplement the Kyoto Protocol, and having failed to set a timetable for agreeing such a treaty, opinions are inevitably split on how countries seeking stronger curbs on greenhouse gas emissions should move forward.

“It could have been much better handled by the rich countries” Lord Stern

Speaking in Brussels, Gro Harlem Brundtland – the UN’s special envoy on climate change – suggested there would now be a twin-track approach, with some of the important discussions taking place outside the UNFCCC umbrella.

She also acknowledged that the talks had proved much more problematical than some governments – particularly in the EU – had anticipated.

“They got the message that it was much more complicated than [they had believed], and that they have to work with Brazil and China and others, not only in the broad framework of UN negotiations but also more directly and pragmatically,” she said.

“The reality is different from half a year ago.”

Lord Stern agreed that what he described as the “disappointing” outcome of the Copenhagen talks was largely down to rich nations’ failure to understand developing world positions and concerns.

“[There was] less arrogance than in previous years – we have, I think, moved beyond the G8 world to the G20 world where more countries are involved – but [there was] still arrogance and it could have been much better handled by the rich countries,” he said.

The EU limited its room for manoeuvre, he said, because too many of the leading political figures wanted to demonstrate that they were leading.

Brass from pockets

The most concrete part of the Copenhagen Accord is an agreement that richer countries should raise funds to help poorer nations adapt to climate impacts and “green” their economies.

Lord Stern is a member of the group set up by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to advise on how to raise $100bn (£66bn) per year by 2020 using various “innovative mechanisms” that could include taxes on international aviation and banking transactions.

But the immediate objective, he suggested, was to enact the short-term promise of providing $30bn over the period 2010-12 from the public purses of western nations.

If that money did not start to move fairly quickly, he said, that would further erode trust among developing countries.

Speaking in Brussels during a meeting with EU leaders, Mexico’s environment secretary Juan Rafael Elvira endorsed the point.

“The developing world needs to see clear signals to have something in their hands at Cancun,” he said.

The Mexican coastal city will host this year’s UNFCCC summit.

“The developing countries want to see this money unblocked; the island nations especially are waiting for this funding,” said Mr Elvira.

How and where these funds are to be disbursed has yet to be decided.

Richard.Black-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8571347.stm

At BuilderScrap.com we’re all for responsible targets. One of our concerns regarding the Kyoto Protocol has been that it exempts developing nations from targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Accordingly, many people worry that developing country emissions will skyrocket as they develop economically.  Regardless of recycling waste to landfill policies can we really reduce our emissions sufficiently to compensate for other less economically developed nations.

According to the BBC news website. Science has been damaged by the recent ‘Climategate’ accusations. Do you still trust our scientific advisor’s? We’d love to hear your thoughts about this and any other Environmental issues you feel strongly about.

Science damaged by climate row says NAS chief Cicerone By Victoria Gill Science reporter, BBC News,20 Feb 2010

Leading scientists say that the recent controversies surrounding climate research have damaged the image of science as a whole.

President of the US National Academy of Sciences, Ralph Cicerone, said scandals including the “climategate” e-mail row had eroded public trust in scientists. His comment came at the annual American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting in San Diego. Dr Cicerone joined other renowned scientists on a panel at the event.

‘Distrust has spread’

He said that the controversial e-mail exchanges about climate change data had caused people to suspect that scientists “oppressed free speech”.

His fellow panel members, including Lord Martin Rees, president of the UK’s Royal Society, agreed that scientists needed to be more open about their findings.

“There is some evidence that the distrust has spread,” Dr Cicerone told BBC News. “There is a feeling that scientists are suppressing dissent, stifling their competitors through conspiracies.”

Recent polls, including one carried out by the BBC, have suggested that climate scepticism is on the rise. Dr Cicerone linked this shift in public feeling to the hacked e-mails and to recently publicised mistakes made by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in one of its key reports.

‘More transparency’

He said he was convinced that these events had had a wider knock-on effect. “Public opinion polls are showing that the answers to questions like: ‘how much do you respect scientists?’ or ‘are they behaving in disinterested ways?’, have deteriorated in the last few months.” He said that this crisis of public confidence should be a wake-up call for researchers, and that the world had now “entered an era in which people expected more transparency”. “People expect us to do things more in the public light and we just have to get used to that,” he said. “Just as science itself improves and self-corrects, I think our processes have to improve and self-correct.”

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8525879.stm

A little different than the usual stuff on BuilderScrap but an important issue that has arisen from man made influences on the environment.

 I was saddened today to read a report in the Guardian concerning the plight of the worlds primates. The report complied by a coalition of conservation groups and  primatolgists has stated that nearly half of all primate species face imminent risk of exticntion. Species such as the Orang Utan (above left) and the Golden Headed Langur (above right) have dwindled in numbers leaving these species under a very real threat of dissapearence.

The Golden Headed Langur could be down to as few as 60 individuals, simiraly species of Lemur and Gibbons have also been reported to be as low as 100 remaining individuals. In total there are 634 primate species, of which 48% are categorised by the IUCN as “red list” species. These are the species which are under greatest threat as the impacts of logging, hunting and smuggling take there toll upon them.

So how have humans allowed and initiated the decline of some of our closest living relatives? All over the world we have seen widespread deforestation and the destruction of primate habitat, often these areas have suffered as countries have struggled for economic growth, leading to the clearance of these lands for increased levels of agriculture. Pressures have also come from hunters and smugglers, for example in China primate hearts have been used in traditional medicines.
 
Due to the very low numbers  of individuals within certain species the threat of extinction is now very high for some primates, an event such as a cyclone or an outbreak of disease could spell the end for an entire species. With such fragile populations, the ease at which these species could fail is increasing, any disaster or event such as the above could have massive ramifications and the loss of these species forever.

So what is being done to save these primates? Deforestation is a key element to any deal to tackle climate change, not only in saving these fantastic animals but also due to the importance of rainforest areas in locking in carbon and preventing more greenhouse gases from entering the environment. Plans for developed countries to give money to developing countries to maintain their areas of forest and take action against illegal logging. In terms of the conservation of primate species conservation work is been undertaken by  a number of zoos and scientists to try to bolster the numbers of these animals. A list of the top 25 list has also been documented in order to create greater public awareness and also to try to encourage governments to become more active in conservation measures.

It seems so deeply saddening that the human race has nearly driven so many of its closest relatives to near extinction. It seems strange how this situation has been allowed to reach such dramatic levels with nearly 50% of all primate species as endangered. Surely the plight of primates has, at least to some extent, been known for a considerable length of time, even if the full extent was unknown. The real situation is however if there is no action now it will be too late and these creatures will become little more than a lifeless image in a book for future generations.

Again, not our usual subject of discussion, but I hope you enjoyed reading, please let us at BuilderScrap know if you have any comments.