Articles in this issue

Articles in this issue:

Traffic goes electric green

Andrew Williams 15 April 2008, Cars

Wind-powered recharge grid on the horizon for Danish battery vehicles

It’s looking good for electric cars in Denmark – as a new scheme promises a network of renewably-powered recharging stations by 2011.

Sun rises on US energy scene

Polly Ghazi 18 April 2008, Energy issues, Solar energy/PV

California’s “biggest ever” solar project follows record year for industry growth

America’s solar energy industry is coming of age. After a record growth year in 2007, pumping over $2 billion into the economy, the sector as a whole – manufacturers and distributors of photovoltaic, concentrating solar power and solar heating technology - is projecting that revenues will again more than double in 2008.

Farm food nation?

Polly Ghazi 21 April 2008, Local food

State law opens way for local farm food into US schools, low-income communities

So far, America’s booming local food movement has largely been limited to the farmers’ market loving middle class. But that’s starting to change.

Riding with the Rail Guru

Ed Gillespie 28 June 2008, Aviation, Mass transit/Public transport, Railways, Transport & travel

Ed Gillespie meets The Man in Seat 61

“That’s good – it’s buying me a curry.” Mark Smith’s reaction to the first payment he received for ‘The Man in Seat 61’ is somehow typical of the man behind this pioneering train travel advice site.

Recession: eclipse - or stimulus?

Ian Christie 23 May 2008, Banking, Business, Finance

Recession doesn’t have to mean a rollback of enthusiasm for sustainability, argues Ian Christie. Indeed, it might just act as a stimulus. Assuming we actually have one, that is…

Best in show

Tom Bamford 19 June 2008, Cars, Hydrogen/fuel cells

Fuel cell power packs a punch in 'dream car' bracket

Three years in the making, the Morgan Lifecar is capable of doing 0 to 60 mph in a mere seven seconds – on a hydrogen fuel cell engine.

Into the red – out with the green?

20 June 2008, Banking, Business, Energy conservation & efficiency, Finance, Politics, Regulation, Retail, Socially responsible investment

Will recession force environmental issues down the agenda – or could it be an unlikely spur to more sustainable work, rest and play? Martin Wright investigates.

Briefing: Ethics in the bag

Louise Vennells 20 June 2008, Entrepreneurship, Inspiration, Social enterprise

Indian co-op helps ditch plastic carriers

With disposable plastic bags under fire as the environmental bogeyman of the moment, businesses on the lookout for reusable alternatives might learn something from Paravur.

Great wall of light

Tom Bamford 24 June 2008, Architecture, Built environment, Solar energy/PV

Chinese capital showcases solar powered LEDs

It might not be the biggest wall in China, but the Greenpix Zero Energy Media Wall in Beijing can lay claim to its own record.

Uncontained delight

Tom Bamford 24 June 2008, Behaviour change, Consumption, Local food, Retail

Goods without wrappers catch on with shoppers

A shop in Islington is changing the way we look at packaging.

Wind among the Jewels

Roger East 26 June 2008, Wind power

Crown Estate reaches Round Three

Although Shell shocked the renewables industry by pulling out of the massive London Array project, a big future still beckons for offshore wind in the UK. The Crown Estate (which owns the seabed within UK territorial waters) has now launched Round Three of its site-leasing programme.

Shelter from the storm?

Mike Scott 28 June 2008, Banking, Climate change impacts, Socially responsible investment

Mike Scott checks out green investment as a safe haven.

What price carbon?

Rebecca Willis 27 June 2008, Carbon offset/neutrality, Carbon reduction, Planning, Policy

The government’s shadow pricing tool needs sharpening, says Rebecca Willis.

Hang the DJ

Martin Wright 28 June 2008, Entrepreneurship, Radio

Chantal Cook saw the future of radio. Now she broadcasts it on Passion for the Planet.

Energy for change

Martin Wright 28 June 2008, Awards & grants, Community energy, Solar energy/PV

Award-winning projects from Tibet to Truro.

American Eye

Polly Ghazi 27 June 2008, Americas, Behaviour change, Cars, Commuting, Consumption

$4 a gallon? It may seem peanuts to British drivers, writes Polly Ghazi, but in shell shocked America, soaring fuel prices are triggering a revolution in commuter habits, and a fundamental shake-up of the auto industry.

Whitehall Watch

Peter Madden 28 June 2008, Budget/Taxation, Green government, Local government

Must sustainability always suffer from political short-termism? Peter Madden says it’s time to take the longer view.

Consigning carbon to captivity?

Neil Wilks 27 June 2008, Carbon sequestration, Climate change impacts, Green Futures partners

A chance to lead the world on carbon capture – Yorkshire Forward

Green borrowers afloat

27 June 2008, Banking, Finance, Green Futures partners, Socially responsible investment

Silver lining on credit for social business – Triodos Bank

Power without responsibility?

Dax Lovegrove 28 June 2008, Carbon reduction, Corporate responsibility

Energy majors in the dock on climate change – WWF

Des res, future style

Marie-Louise Schembri 28 June 2008, Architecture, Construction

The new look of tomorrow’s homes – Entec UK

Editorial

Roger East 24 June 2008

There aren’t many subjects on which I prefer Harry S Truman’s words to those of Oscar Wilde. But the former US president’s prosaic definitions – “a pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities, while an optimist makes opportunities of his difficulties” seem more helpful in these crunch times than the poet’s cry, “the basis of optimism is pure terror”.

Tomorrow's house today

Roger East 28 June 2008, Built environment, Housing

Volume housebuilder showcases the zero carbon home

The ‘zero carbon home’ has become concrete reality. The Barratt Green House is the first new home built by a mainstream housebuilder which measures up to the strict sustainability criteria they’ll all have to meet by 2016.

Letters

30 June 2008

"There’ll never be a more blatant example to show that, when needs must, it’s OK to put to one side all that guff about governments not interfering in the market."

And another thing

Martin Wright 30 June 2008, Lifestyles, Transport & travel

“Like crying wolf when all seems quiet, it’s counter-productive to bang on endlessly about the dangers of climate change”

Faced with a mix of recession and a muddle of climate change denial, it's time to extol green joys, not taxes, says Martin Wright.

One down, but one to go

Jon Wallace 24 June 2008

Renewed optimism follows “bitter disappointment” over Lewis wind farm

It was a case of one door closing, another opening for renewable energy on the island of Lewis...

Seagen tidecatcher makes its debut

Roger East 24 June 2008, Wave power/tidal

Largest tidal stream power device in the world ready to launch

The innovative tide-harnessing turbine known as SeaGen is securely in place, linked up to the grid, and almost ready to start turning the rapid ebbs and flows of Northern Ireland’s Strangford Lough into green electricity.

The taming of the screw

Jon Wallace 24 June 2008, Hydro electric

Ancient technology finds new application

Thousands of years after it was invented for drawing water out of ship hulls, the ‘Archimedes screw’ has been rediscovered as an efficient, low-maintenance and ecologically sound hydropower generator.

From cow to bag

Tom Bamford 24 June 2008, Packaging

Sainsbury's to sell milk in recyclable plastic ‘pouches’

The initiative, in partnership with milk supplier Dairy Crest, will only work if customers prove more green-minded than they were in 2001, when the supermarket chain’s first attempt to wean us onto pouches was abandoned due to lack of consumer interest.

The national distrust

Roger East 24 June 2008, Green government, Toolkits/information packs

Environmental messaging bedevilled by 'greenwash'

“Only 10% of US and UK consumers trust green messages from businesses”. That was a year ago – and it’s getting worse...

Bread rising

Giovanna Dunmall 24 June 2008, Health, Local food, Organics

Campaign backs 'real' baking, exposes factory failings

Good bread needs to be at the centre of our tables again, says organic baker, teacher and campaigner Andrew Whitley. So get ready for a nationwide Bread Campaign, due to launch later this year.

Leaf service

Alison Winward 24 June 2008, Eco-products & services, Innovation

Indian leaves bring new life to disposable crockery

They’ve been used in rural India for countless years, but ‘disposable’ plates made from leaves are now becoming a big hit on British dining tables.

Boris beds in

Jon Wallace 24 June 2008, Carbon reduction

Major tree-planting under way in capital as new research points to health benefits

Fresh from his victory in the London mayoral elections, Boris Johnson has announced a scheme to plant 10,000 new trees on the streets of the capital over the next three years.

Redesign for living

Tom Bamford 24 June 2008, Recycling, Waste management, Waste minimisation

Student design rethink takes on the compost bucket

Where would you go for inspiration on sustainable design?

Coffin makers carry it off

Roger East 24 June 2008, Awards & grants

Awards fete UK's greenest companies

Another sign of the interest in ‘green exemplars’ – the new Sunday Times Best Green Companies awards.

Fast lane to sane lane

Tom Bamford 24 June 2008, Carbon reduction, Cars

Local curb breaches German principle of limitless
autobahn speed

Fast cars are big business in Germany, but there are signs that the brakes are going on.

Carbon pricing US style

Polly Ghazi 24 June 2008, Carbon reduction

San Francisco pioneers emissions levy for local businesses

In the first measure of its kind in the USA, companies in California’s Bay Area now face mandatory fees for their carbon emissions.

Hybrids by retro-fit

Andrew Williams and Roger East 24 June 2008, Cars

UK company's makeover approach could "convert conventional cars"

Can your current car boast the green credentials – and fuel economy – of a fuel/electric hybrid? If not, there may be a solution on the horizon, if a new conversion system lives up to its promise.

Where does the power lie?

Anna Birney 24 June 2008, Behaviour change, Inspiration

People keep asking me about my job title. The ‘change’ bit isn’t the issue; the question is about what we mean by ‘leadership’.

Real green promises

Tom Berry 24 June 2008

When people know what I do at work, they tend to expect me to ‘know the answer’ to questions like: “Which is better, Fairtrade or locally grown?”

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