The report outlines the current provisions set up in the UK and offers suggestions as to how the government could develop the marine power industry to become a world leading authority.

Currently there are only eight prototype machines which are designed to harness the power of the sea, seven of which have been built in British waters.

The ECC report calls for further development of these prototypes together with increased investment from the government to build new devices in the UK.

The report also recommends that the cost of producing wave and tidal power needs to be reduced, which would happen as a result of increased development.

A spokesperson for the government stated that the Department for Energy and Climate Change were already making significant steps towards improving energy production and energy management with a view to becoming the largest producer of marine power with the recent opening of the South West Marine Energy Park, with further plans being implemented for marine parks to be built in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Chairman of the Energy and Climate Change Committee Tim Yeo commented that increasing the UK’s production of marine power could create thousands of new jobs which would boost the economy, as well as providing a significant source of low-carbon power for the entire country.

Angus Norman, Chief Executive of Ocean Power Technologies which has a vested interest in increased marine power production, said that in order to gain the most benefit from wave and tidal power, both in terms of the economy and improved provision of renewable energy, the development of the industry needed to be more rapid. He went on to say that the new report illustrates that the UK Government could easily set itself up as a world leader provided a sufficient investment was implemented quickly.

MP’s are set to discuss the new report in the houses of parliament today.

These days many people are becoming more and more conscious of the many everyday things they have to do which can cause damage to the environment, from using detergent to flushing the toilet. Sometimes it can be very difficult to find an eco friendly alternative to everyday household tasks, but it is possible to have your drains cleaned without using harmful corrosive chemicals by using high pressure water jetting instead.

What are the Harmful Effects of Drain Cleaners?

On the Body

Drain cleaners can be very harmful both to people and to the environment. If drain cleaner is ingested or comes into contact with the skin it can have a poisonous and corrosive effect. Drain cleaners normally contain fairly powerful acids like sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide and just as they can eat away at blockages in drains they can also eat away at skin. If you are using drain cleaner and you get any on your skin or in your eyes you must rinse it immediately to avoid injury.

Similarly, if drain cleaner is ingested it can be extremely harmful and in some cases even fatal. Most household drain cleaners that can be bought over the counter will feature a poison symbol on the packaging, hopefully warning anyone away from ingesting drain cleaning fluid.

The way drain cleaners are stored can also be harmful. If drain cleaners are stored with other types of chemical cleaner like bleach can lead to the creation of harmful fumes that can cause vomiting, stomach pains and in some cases even death for those exposed to them.

For the Earth

If drain cleaner can have such a damaging effect on the human body then it’s easy to imagine how harmful they can be to the fragile earth. Although most experts agree that proper use of drain cleaners is not particularly harmful to the environment, when you consider that they have been in use for a relatively short period of time it’s hard to gauge exactly what the long term effects of releasing harmful chemicals into the water system will be.

However, the improper disposal of drain cleaners has caused contamination of water supplies in the past and some experts contend that too much drain cleaner within the water system will corrode pipe work and stop useful bacteria that breaks down waste inside sewage systems from forming.

What is High Pressure Water Jetting?

High pressure water jetting is the ideal solution to finding an environmentally friendly way to clean your drains. It basically works by expelling water at extremely high pressures. This water generally contains an abrasive material such as sand which helps to disperse anything which has built up or become lodged in your drains.

If you need your drains unblocking then using high pressure water jetting is the ideal way to solve the problem without having to use hazardous materials. However, because the jets of water that are used reach extremely high pressures they can be dangerous when placed in the wrong hands. For this reason if you want to use high pressure water jetting you will need to employ the services of an industrial cleaning company who will have all the necessary tools at their disposal and will be fully qualified to use them safely.

The other bonus of high pressure water jetting is that it is very quiet and unobtrusive which means that it can be carried out with little inconvenience for the home owner.

Sit back and think about the environment for a minute. Now, if you’ve managed not to click ‘Close’ before getting to the end of that sentence just to avoid having environmental issues rammed down your throat, what were you thinking of?

Global warming?

Deforestation?

Pollution?

Rising sea levels?

Indeed, each of these are inarguably a mitigating factor in the ways in which we must change the way we live in modern times (not including the diehard sceptic!) However, I bet I can find some things that you didn’t think about that are becoming major issues but managing to evade public opinion. These are problems such as the Ocean Dead Zones.

Ocean Dead Zones are popping up in oceans all over the world. A ‘Dead Zone’ is characterised by a lack of oxygen. This lack of oxygen renders a certain section of ocean uninhabitable.

So when we say ‘Dead Zone,’ there may well be a disparity between the image conjured up in your mind, that of hundreds of belly up fish is a sludgy black ocean, and the reality of a big, wet emptiness.

The largest Ocean Dead Zone is in the Gulf of Mexico and spans 45,000 square miles. Now, as I just said, you’re not going to be jumping off your yacht for a dip in the Gulf of Mexico and drown in a slimy mass of sea creature corpses. Mainly because you’d be having a nice dream and nice dreams don’t end like that.

However, the uninhabitable nature of these ‘Dead Zones’ is as much of a problem as if they were full of dead animals. When you consider the collapsing fish stocks in our oceans it doesn’t bode well that huge sections of our oceans are becoming uninhabitable.

These two problems coupled together clearly spell out disaster for the future. Now, I’ll give you three guesses as to the cause of this problem, and I’ll bet you some pounds that you only need one of those guesses.

We caused and are continuing to cause it. The lack of oxygen that defines the ‘Dead Zones’ is created through human waste. Things such as excess nitrogen from farm fertilisers are altering the seas around us.

You also have emissions from vehicles and factories and sewage being dumped directly into the ocean. This is a global problem; there are no nations that can be picked out as a scapegoat here.

It is the way in which we have developed our industries to cope with the snowballing speed of modern life that are creating these problems. We are dependent upon industry and mechanisation, we can’t sacrifice our transport to reduce emissions because it’s now an intrinsic part of modern day life.

I don’t have the sneers here, but if you’re expecting a light-hearted twist in the final paragraph that reassures you that everything’s going to be okay you’re not going to get it.

No one’s sure about what’s to come, but the general consensus is that whatever is coming is not going to be good.

This is the effect of modern life upon the world.

Think to yourself; would you give up your car, PS3 or cheap food to keep a few square miles of ocean oxygen rich? Or does that sound like a ridiculous prospect?

Click here for more from Robbie Palmer

We are constantly being reminded of the state that the earth is in and the damage that the human race has done to it. Although we should all be aware of the need to better care for the earth there is little point in constant warnings about the damage we are doing without some sort of alternative to our current practices being offered.

Energy consulting is a technique which helps nations, cities, countries and companies to consider the type of energy they use and the amount of energy they use and to look for alternatives that are more environmentally friendly.

What is Energy Consulting?
Energy consulting is one part of a process which is undertaken to review energy use. On a small scale energy consulting can help individual industries like mining or car production to carefully assess the way they use energy and look for better alternatives to burning fossil fuels.

On a larger scale energy consulting can help cities and countries to find better energy sources and to lessen their impact on the environment.

What are Alternative Energy Sources?

There are many different types of alternative energy sources, some of which have been around for thousands of years and some which are innovative and state of the art. One of the oldest alternative energy methods is producing power through the use of water. Hyro electricity is a great source of renewable energy but it is not always viable. Energy consulting helps to discern if an energy source like this is right for the job in hand.

One of the more modern renewable energy sources is solar power. Although humans have always been aware of the power of the sun it was only in recent decades that we devised a way to harness this power and convert it into energy. Now more and more people are having solar panels fitted and in some cases, such as in Norway, entire towns are being fitted with solar panels and being entirely run off solar energy.

Could Energy Consulting help me?

If you own a large company you could utilise the services of an energy consulting business to help you determine if you could be using alternative energy sources. In addition energy consulting can also help you learn how to use less energy. For example if you have a factory and energy consulting company can assess the power the factory uses and look at ways to reduce this. For example making machines run more efficiently or using electricity less in certain areas.

Energy consulting is an integral part of the global struggle to reduce the impact that the human race has on the earth.

If you’ve got a business that creates any type of garbage then you need business recycling undertaken waste management companies. All businesses create a certain quantity of waste, ranging from a very small amount of paper waste, to large amounts of dangerous waste.

Whatever your business and whatever kind of rubbish you have produced, your company may benefit from business recycling. If you produce chemical or water waste then lawfully it needs to be removed safely by trained people. If you’re not certain what the regulations are regarding this matter you’ll be able to employ a a professional waste management consultant to explain the particulars of business recycling.

waste management companies will be in the position to show you as to what the best method to recycle your garbage is.

For instance if you happen to produce an oil and water waste mix, you’ll find waste recycling centres where they can be separated and reused. When you make a great deal of packaging it could be taken to recycling centres where it can be seperated and reused.

If you hire a business recycling consultant they will likewise be able to share with you whether or not it’s practical for your organization to make a smaller amount of waste.

For instance product wrapping can often be lessened whilst non – recyclable packaging is often substituted for biodegradable materials.

Together with advice, a business recycling company also are in a position to provide you with the right equipment to house your waste and take it out of your business and carry it to the correct recycling facility. This may include providing skips, tankers as well as other apparatus required.

A business recycling company are often in a position to counsel you as to how you can reduce costs by recycling more or using less packaging. Most business recycling and waste brokerage companies will be able to execute larger single jobs such as laboratory cleaning, cleaning and jetting inside a confined space and removing of hazardous materials such as asbestos.

For a business owner it’s your duty to make sure that you are adhering to all government requirements in terms of recycling, specially when it comes to hazardous waste. Not only can improper disposal of waste cause untold damage to the planet but it might also bring about hefty fines and even criminal conviction if a business is discovered to be breaking the laws surrounding this matter.

So remember, if you will have a big or small firm, or maybe you produce dangerous or non hazardous waste, your enterprise should conduct business recycling.

When renovating or decorating a home there are various issues that we will need to consider for instance warmth, security, efficiency and design. When picking your front door every one of these issues are extrmely important.

So that is the reason why so many people are choosing to put in uPVC doors in their homes as they quite simply cover all the bases of home security and energy efficiency and they look fantastic too!

What is uPVC?

uPVC means unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride which is a sort of polyvinyl chloride applied to producing things such as doors and window frames. It’s often used within homes because it’s quite strong, very easy to mould and can be finished in numerous styles and colours. In fact uPVC is frequently finished to look like wood and it’s pretty tough to tell the difference between uPVC and the real thing.

What reasons are there to choose uPVC?

It’s long lasting:

uPVC is exceedingly long-lasting and hard wearing which means that when you fit a uPVC door in your house you know that it’ll work efficiently and look good for decades to come. It will likewise easily withstand the ordinary stresses, strains, knocks and bumps of daily life.

It’s super energy efficient:

Everyone worries about paying energy bills so needless to say we’d like our homes to become as energy efficient as they possibly can. uPVC doors are quite energy efficient because they completely block out all draught meaning that your front door makes a tight seal which protects your household from the elements and keeps it warmer.

It’s strong and secure:

uPVC doors have a very high standard of security. They usually are fitted with cutting edge locks which can be difficult to break into. Moreover the doors can be incredibly strong and can withstand any attempts to get them open by forcing or kicking.

It’s stylish and attractive:

uPVC is usually moulded into all kinds of designs, styles and finishes. Although the majority of uPVC doors are white they can be bought in several different colours and may be finished to appear just like wood. That’s great if you would like each of the benefits associated with uPVC and you don’t desire to compromise on the look of your residence. That’s why so many people with traditional homes are selecting to put in uPVC doors that don’t detract from the beauty and character of the facade.

You can get lots of cost-effective uPVC doors on the web and whilst they are more costly than other types of door you should think of uPVC doors to generally be a good investment since you are aware that once you have your door fitted you simply won’t have to change it out for several years coming.

Air conditioning has long had a reputation for causing damage to the environment and to be perfectly honest in the past the prevalence of air con has been partly responsible for environmental damage. That’s because it used up a lot of electricity and also because it contained chemicals which have been shown to be partly responsible for causing the hole in the ozone layer.

However, air conditioning has been around in one form or another for several decades and today air conditioning is far more environmentally friendly that it once was. Most forms of air conditioning no longer contain harmful chemicals and ways have been found to lessen their energy consumption.

In addition, recent studies have shown that it is more efficient to keep rooms or offices at a constant temperature as opposed to constantly heating and cooling a space. In fact, it has been found that persistent heating and cooling of a building can actually damage its structure and cause other problems such as damp.

It is far more effective to maintain a constant temperature as this will keep rooms and offices comfortable to be in and will use considerably less energy. Keeping spaces at a constantly maintained temperature also means that less heat will be lost into the atmosphere.

As well as the benefits of keeping temperatures constant air conditioning systems can now be set up to filter air, collecting warm air and effectively recycling it, filtering out impurities and pumping the air back into the environment. As well as being a cost effective and clever way to heat and cool a building, the constant filtration and circulation of air can also help to prevent sick building syndrome.

Although many people were originally sceptical about whether the phenomena of sick building syndrome was actually real, today most experts agree that it is a genuine problem that does cause increased illness amongst staff. Experts have also concluded that the most likely cause of sick building syndrome is lack of air filtration and air circulation in large buildings.

Air conditioning systems that have been fitted with filters are ideal for filtering and circulating air within a building which makes it healthier to breathe, meaning that business owners should have less instances of staff sickness and in general have a happier, healthier and more comfortable workforce.

Of course it would be better if we as humans did not utilise energy sources to help keep us warm or cool it is highly unlikely that this will ever happen, so, if we must find ways to do this then air conditioning can be healthier, cheaper and more energy efficient that other forms of heating and cooling.

Is your home energy efficient? Chances are there are energy “leaks” around your home that you are unaware of that are costing you money each month.  Perhaps the 12 tips listed below will bring potential energy leaks to your attention and help you save.

• Doors. Doors are the ultimate culprits for energy leaks.  Weather stripping around doors will help block out any unwanted air.  Use your hand to feel around the casing of the door for possible energy leaks.

• Windows.  Windows are also culprits for energy leaks.  Use caulking around windows that may be allowing cool are to escape.  If you can feel air coming in, you have a problem.  Make sure windows are properly sealed in an effort to save money.  If your windows are old, replacement windows may be the answer to fix energy leaks.

• Adding in insulation. How well is your home insulated?  You can determine how well your home is insulated by analyzing your utility bill. Small houses with large electricity bills are often the first sign that you have an insulation problem.  Add in insulation to the attic to help fix possible energy leaks.

• Dryer vents.  Is air entering your home through the dryer vent?  Ensure that the dryer vent is fastened tightly to the wall.  You should not be able to see daylight behind your dryer.

• Cable.  How well is your cable installed? Holes drilled for cable wires can often be left undetected leaving you with an energy leak. Check all of the cable holes in your walls to ensure there is no air coming in through the holes. Fix holes with caulking or dry wall filler.

• The roof.  If it is time for a new roof, you could be wasting energy in your home.  In an effort to fix the problem and save money along the way, choose to go with metal roofing. It has shown to reduce energy costs and will last and entire lifetime. A new roof will help fix the energy leaks in your home.

• Changing the filters on your air conditioner.  How often do your change the filter on your air conditioner?  This appliance won’t heat or cool as well as it can if you do not take care of the filters. Avoid an energy leak by changing out the filters regularly. Remove any trapped debris or dirt from your unit to keep it working properly.

• Getting a new AC unit.  If you are spending more money maintaining your air conditioning unit, it may be beneficial to go ahead and purchase a new one.  Newer air conditioning units are energy efficient and will likely be a fix for your home energy leaks. While it may cost your money upfront, the long terms benefits are a cheaper home utility bill and a more comfortable home.

• Get new appliances. While you may think that keeping old appliances is saving you money, it can actually be doing the opposite. Get rid of appliances that may be draining your energy and opt for energy efficient appliances. Larger appliances such as refrigerators are especially important to keep updated.

• Change out light bulbs.  The new and improved lights bulbs use less than half the energy of their counterparts.  Get rid of old light bulbs and invest in energy efficient ones to help reduce your energy costs. This cost will save you a great deal of money in the long run.

• The basement.  The basement is often a prime suspect for energy leaks. If you are on the hunt for energy leaks in your home, start with the basement. Be sure it is properly insulated. Add in insulation where needed to help reduce the energy costs in your home.

• Be cautious of letting energy escape.  As a homeowner, there are things that you can do to get the most out of the energy in your home. Be sure to keep doors and windows closed at all times.  Avoid opening the refrigerator and turn off appliances that you aren’t using. Do your part in saving energy.

The tips above will help you fix potential energy leaks in your home.  Will you take advantage of the savings offered by fixing energy leaks?

Stephen has written this article for specialty products group 1001Shops that offers a large range of home décor products like – fake flowers, Christmas Matryoshka dolls, etageres and lot more.

David Cameron is facing renewed criticism from environmental groups and local residence over plans to construct a high speed railway that could destroy acres of green belt land.

The final route for the high speed railway, which will cost an estimated £34 billion, is expected to be revealed in the next few weeks, but protestors are up in arms about the effect that the link will have on the local environment and the country as a whole.

The proposed route will cut through the Chiltern Hills and several other areas of UK countryside that are considered to be some of the country’s finest beauty spots.

An alternative route was proposed by Labour that would travel directly to Heathrow and utilise existing transport corridors but it is believed that the proposal has not been favoured by the Conservative Party. The proposed rail link will include trains that will be up to 400 feet long and travel at speeds in excess of 200 miles an hour.

If the route goes ahead it is expected to cause major problems for David Cameron’s leadership. Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan has threatened to give up her position if the route travels through her constituency of Chesham and Amersham.

MP for Aylesbury and Foreign Office Minister David Lidington has pledged to vote against the proposed link, whilst government whip Jeremy Wright has said that the route is ‘not the right one’.

Environmental groups believe that the high speed rail link will be highly damaging to the environment and that the trains will cause unnecessary pollution, but many other critics are up in arms over the costs that tax payers will incur in order to fund the scheme.

To date the project has cost the tax payer £ 200 million and a further £800 million in tax payers money is expected to be spent prior to the next general election.

Many residents in the areas where the planned route will travel are also concerned over rail safety. The Chiltern Voice highlighted a recent incident in China where a high speed train was struck by lightning, killing 39 people and injuring over 190 others.

It remains to be seen whether the proposed link will go ahead but critics are in no doubt that the high speed railway will have a detrimental and damaging effect on the local environment and the tax payers pocket.

If you asked somebody to think about mining and minerals, it’s unlikely that they’d connect the two terms with the possibility of supplying fertiliser for the whole of the UK. However, the recent discovery of potash at a Yorkshire site means that there may soon be a mine dedicated to this very cause. The UK currently has one potash mine at Boulby, also in Yorkshire, but the newly found mineral deposits could potentially result in jobs for over a thousand skilled workers as well as sustaining British agriculture for years to come.

Why Potash?

Potash is formed from the element Potassium (chemical symbol K). Potassium is a required nutrient in the human diet, but as potash it is also central in the manufacture of many fertilisers, as it balances other nutrients in plants and is naturally recycled. Test drilling at the new Yorkshire site indicates such a wealthy resource of high grade potash that experts predict a mine could yield produce for the next half century or more.

Why We Need Fertilisers

It might seem odd that farmers use something from the earth, like potash, to go back on the earth in an effort to yield larger crops, but as the world’s population continues to rise, so agricultural production needs to increase. Fertilisers can be either organic or inorganic and ensure that edible crops receive essential nutrients for strong growth. Fertilisers are equally important in the production of animal foods such as grain, due to increased human consumption of meat.

A Boost to the Economy

The recent discovery of potash has prompted funding and planning applications to build a mine and a geosciences centre at the Yorkshire site. It is hoped that, if successful, this will become a centre of academic research for both mining and minerals, creating skilled jobs and ultimately boosting both the local and national economy.

Environmental Impact

Despite the potentially lucrative opportunities for industry, agriculture and research, local farmers have expressed concern over the impact a potash mine could have on the natural environment of the area. Mines may occupy more space underground than on the earth’s surface, but developers certainly need to consider the potential effects of this project on neighbouring landscapes and livelihoods before it gets the go-ahead.

Written by Jemma Saunders

Read Jemma’s blog or follow her on Twitter @JemSaunders1