The Plastic Dilemma
We all try to do our bit for the planet, so when it comes to household plastic, we religiously wash out our milk and other containers and put them in …
Scotland’s green future? Renewables versus oil and gas
Scotland is famed for many things which include golf, castles, grouse moors, salmon, whisky, clans, haggis, tartan, bagpipes, green energy and, yes, oil and gas. All of these contribute to …
My Carbon Footprint
Working in Transition University of St Andrews, our job is to try and persuade folk to get out of cars and walk and cycle more, to improve their health and …
Climate Change and Water
Climate change has manifest itself in many ways around the world, from record summer extreme temperatures, to the melting of the polar icecaps and glaciers, leading to sea level rises, …
Has the World enough resources to sustain the current population growth?
Can World agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture and forestry sustain burgeoning populations without habitat destruction, deforestation or species/biodiversity loss? In the late 18th century Thomas Malthus wrote ‘The power of the population …
St Andrews – an ideal City for the future?
With another couple of car-free days coming up for St Andrews in August, I have been pondering what my ideal city would look like. We all, I’m sure, harbour thoughts …
The importance of Biodiversity. Mankind (single species) versus nature (biomes, ecosystems, biodiversity, communities and populations of multiple species); is it a winner-takes-all contest or can we live in sustainable harmony?
Background The 1992 Earth Summit in Rio led to three Conventions a year later on Climate Change, Biological Diversity and Desertification Prevention (UN). Biodiversity can be defined as the variety …
Nuclear Energy; the pros and cons
Background We are surrounded by matter, made up of atoms, each of which contains enormous amounts of energy in the bonds that hold the atom together. This energy can be …
Paw print, your pet’s carbon footprint.
Pets have co-evolved with mankind for thousands of years. Domestic dogs were thought to have evolved from domesticated grey wolves in the Middle East around 15 000 years ago. Archaeological …
The Hydrogen Economy
With increasing evidence and media coverage on Climate Change and Global Warming brought on by anthropogenically produced CO2 in our atmosphere, we are well aware of the problems associated with …
Tax on Aviation fuel and Carbon offsets
In the 1940’s international transport was still dominated by coal-burning steam trains and oil-burning ocean liners. Air travel was still in its infancy, so to promote it, tax on aviation …
Urban cycling, public transport and changing cityscapes
Tired of eight mile back-ups? Sitting in a stationary car costs time, money and health, both mentally (frustration, road rage) and clinically (stress, disease). Vehicle pollution, including soot, carbon monoxide, …