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More on the University of Liverpool’s Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy, which we featured here, from the Liverpool Daily Post. Professor Tim Greenshaw from the Institute has kindly agreed to talk in the Summer session of our Sustainability Discussion series – stay tuned for dates.
- In other energy news this week, the Cavernwalks are moving to 100% renewable energy, and there is talk of a new windfarm in Ince-Blundell.
- There’s been lots in the news about shale gas exploration with worries about methane leaks – a far more dangerous greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide – and groundwater contamination – including ignitable drinking water in the U.S. But this has come closer to home with exploratory drilling going on near Blackpool.
- The Greens have criticised plans to build an underground energy cable through the middle of the Wirral, in favour of focusing on energy efficiency. Interesting for TL in terms of local solutions vs large infrastructure projects.
- With the devastating floods in Australia, home-owners here in the U.K may be thinking about flood insurance. However with the Coalition cutting funding for flood defence projects, insurance companies may refuse to cover homes in many places in the UK including Liverpool.
- On a more positive note – Travelwise are offering all adults in Merseyside free bicycle maintenance and skills courses – available until the end of March. Some members of TL have already attended the Basic Skills course and highly recommend it!
- We’re also all getting excited about smart energy meters – we have a couple doing the rounds so we can test out how they work. Wirral Council are currently giving them away for free for local residents – see here for more details.
- Finally for those interested in Local Food, Co-operatives UK are offering free courses in Manchester for those involved in a local group. Check out the rest of the website for lots more support and information.
That’s it for this week, let us know if there’s anything important we missed 🙂
