Human activity is causing global warming. We now all have environmental footprints, we’ve discovered “food miles” and carbon neutral activities, which is all fine but what are we going to do about it? The challenge for all Governments when it comes to implementing a “green” strategy is that talk is cheap. They can preach about the merits of collecting cans / newspapers / using fewer plastic bags, but in order to make a real impact I believe the private sector has to be able to make money out of green activities.
The Eco-Active event recently held at the RJHA buildings in Trinity focused attention on a number of local businesses all of whom in their different ways are trying to get us to see the error of our ways.
The business that stood out for me though goes by the name of Farmfuels. Their product, that of selling wood pellets and wood pellet stoves seems fairly unremarkable at first sight, however its implications for Jersey are immense.
They are looking at growing a crop called “Miscanthus grass”. This is recognised as a Bio-energy crop; that is it is grown primarily for fuel. Given the current state of the agriculture industry on Jersey, a new crop will help hard pressed farmers if there is sufficient interest shown.
Upon harvesting, the crop is dried, shredded, and finally compressed into fuel pellets or heat logs.
The Islands demand for power is huge. We import over 3,000 tons of coal every year, a significant amount of Gas and Oil and demand / output of electricity has grown by 25% in the last decade. Isn’t it time we looked in our own backyard to give us more energy security, especially if it’s green energy security?
The clever bit though is getting people to change the habits of a lifetime. Deputy De Faye has recently talked about a “green tax” which probably sent a shudder down the spine of the business community. Of course the absolute opposite is happening in southern Ireland where a grant of Euro 1,100 is being given to anyone installing a pellet burning stove / boiler, which is seen as carbon neutral.
The burner falls under the Greener Homes Scheme Registered Product list and is surely a great incentive to encourage people to switch from traditional sources of fuel.
Wouldn’t it be great if planning on top of demanding rainwater harvesting systems as standard in all new builds, also incentivised people to choose a green solution for their hot water and central heating requirements and gave them money to do so?
Finally five suggestions to help save the planet –
1. Think before you print off that email – is it really necessary?
2. Keep a supply of A4 used paper by the printer, because if you really did need to print off that email you could at least use used paper.
3. Switch off the charger for your mobile ‘phone at the wall when you’re not using it for charging. It consumes electricity when left on but not in use.
4. Do you need to print all documents in finest quality? Why not try changing the default on your printer to print in draft. You’ll save a lot of cartridges.
5. Next time the person behind the counter asks you if you would like a bag for your two or three purchases, say no if it’s practicable.
3 comments:
Is human activity causing global warming? Some people are now loking at the fact that we have been in a period of increased solar activty for the last 50 years, and thinking that might explain the rising temperatures.
It's funny you should say that but I've just returned from Switzerland where the snow levels were the lowest for 30 years. Today we say "oh! it must be global warming", however 30 years ago they just saw it as something that happens now and again. So I agree we can get a little hung up on global warming being fashionable. However I will be seriously worried if the same thing occurs over the next 3 or 4 years. Well not only me, but the whole of the Swiss tourism industry.
Canada is already becoming more popular for skiing I hear.
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