GREEN WORKS The clock is ticking ...it’s time to act

At a time when we’re seeing record temperatures across large parts of Europe, north America and the Far East, with wildfires in Canada, the Canary Islands, and in Greece causing the evacuation of thousands of tourists, China has seen 52°C and Death Valley, in the US 54°C, and Canada, China, South Korea and India have flooding, it is widely accepted that the human race is affecting the climate, dramatically, and that we must act to minimise these effects. And the time to act is now. It’s not just about us either, we are affecting every species on Earth, on land and in our oceans. Most of us are already doing something, electric cars and hybrids are ever-more familiar with an expanding range of models,

Sir David Attenborough

and recycling has been part of putting the bin out for some years, saving manufacturing energy and materials, and lessening our colossal landfill requirements.

But more, much more, is needed to avoid the worst case scenarios that some anticipate, and we can all be part of the solution.

What do we do?

In the last few years we have all learned the painful monetary price of energy –gas, electricity, petrol and diesel – focusing minds on our boilers, switching off lights, not leaving appliances on standby and the real necessity of our motoring mileage. There is also an environmental cost.

Heat pumps, solar panels and wind power technologies can have (continues on page 21)

Harvesting to save: 18

Climate control: 19

Atmospheric heat: 20

Saving waste: 21

Energy on tap: 22