Transition Island Blog

A new scientific study in the British Nutrition journal shows that children benefit from organic milk.

Those who eat organic dairy products are 36% less likely to suffer from eczema than children who are fed conventional dairy products.

But, it is not yet clear how it works against eczema.

 beneficial nutrients

While experts now agree that organic food contains higher levels of beneficial nutrients than non-organic foods Organic dairy food has increased levels of the beneficial (anti carcinogenic, anti diabetic and good for the immune system); “conjugated linoleic acid isomers”.

Another study has shown higher levels are also found in the breast milk of women who drink organic milk.

(more…)

There are better ways to make biofuels than cutting down forests to plant palm oil trees.

Actually, there are many, many ways.
All you need is a relatively concentrated source of carbon and some new technology…

And the technology is constantly being improved. 

The newest breakthrough involves cellulose being rapidly heated in the presence of solid catalysts, and then rapidly cooled to create a liquid that contains many of the compounds found in gasoline.

The entire process was completed in under two minutes using relatively moderate amounts of heat. The liquid can be further treated to form the remaining fuel components or can be used “as is” for a high octane gasoline blend. Once in production, this should all take much less energy to make than ethanol, giving it a smaller carbon footprint and making it cheaper to produce.

Meanwhile other sources of carbon include:

(more…)

The biggest prize in history is now waiting for an inventor.

A prize of $25 million for anyone who can come up with a system for removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere was launched on Friday 8/2/08, by Richard Branson.

The head of Virgin Group said at the launch in London, UK, that the prize was not for removing emissions from power plants before they reach the atmosphere and storing them deep underground - an existing technology known as carbon capture and sequestration.

Instead, the brief is to devise a system to remove a “significant amount” of greenhouse gases [ ] from the atmosphere…

Read more in the New Scientist…

The first hydrogen-powered plane has been successfully tested by a pilot.

The small, propeller-driven craft, made three short flights in Spain. It was powered by hydrogen fuel cells, which produce only heat and water as exhaust products.

Although hydrogen-powered planes had been flown before, they have been remote-controlled. This is the first with a human payload - a safety statement as well as a venture into exploring its handling.

These advances could lead to a new generation of greener aircraft.

(more…)

Two teaspoons of cod liver oil a day can cut the number of powerful painkillers needed to ease the pain of arthritis.

Patients who were given the supplements were able to reduce their daily dose of anti-inflammatory drugs.

These findings are important because the long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs can double the threat of heart attack and raise the risk of strokes and heart disease.

Dr Bernat Galarraga and colleagues from the Ninewells Hospital and Medical School in Dundee; the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, and the University of Dundee, carried out this research.

This was proper science: a double-blind randomised controlled trial, although the patient nmbers were small. Funded by a small business, this shows the problems of field trials for drugs.

More people in the cod liver oil group (39%) were able to reduce their NSAID intake by more than 30% compared with the placebo group (10%). This reduction was significant.

[more]

Meanwhile…

(more…)

The Conference is a great success! Well-designed, well-attended and well-addressed by relevant speakers.

Organised by the Island Strategic Partnership (ISP) to launch the Eco-Isle Vision, their many speakers repeatedly brought the message home - we WILL get there.

journey planning

Setting the scene were David Pugh, speaking as leader of the Isle of Wight Council, and John Owen, Chair of the ISP. They reminded us that we have to commit to our destination before we plan the journey. And what an ambitious destination!

(more…)

Civilisation aims to protect us from the extremes of nature through a system of cooperation, mostly invisible (taken for granted) these days. Research indicates that the more ‘civilised’ we are, the less worried we are.

Civilisation is designed to reduce our need to worry about our environment.
We can worry about entertainment rather than food.
We can concern ourselves with philosophy instead of shelter.

warnings ignored

“For decades, scientists in the US had pointed out that New Orleans was a disaster waiting to happen.

The city lies in an area that is prone to annual hurricanes, half the city is below sea level, and a force 5 hurricane was bound to hit the city, so drastic measures had to be implemented immediately to avoid disaster.

(more…)

A whisky by-product has been found to clean contaminated ground and waste water.

The team at the University of Aberdeen believe they have a new technique to help the estimated 330,000 contaminated sites in the UK.

They say the Device for the Remediation and Attenuation of Multiple pollutants (Dram) has major potential in industry.

Early tests seem to show that Dram removes several contaminants simultaneously and is quicker and more cost-effective than current techniques.

The Glenfiddich distillery in Speyside has helped researchers get to this stage by donating the by-product, the nature of which is being kept secret.

(more…)

Bugs found in water and soil make electricity by feeding on simple organic compounds.

New research shows that a vitamin called riboflavin is a key product that creates electron flow.

Rates of electricity production increased by 370 percent as riboflavin accumulated.

natural battery

Bacteria have been changing the chemistry of the environment for billions of years. Their ability to make iron soluble is a central part of the metal cycle in the environment. It is essential to most life on earth.

(more…)

Richard Branson was jubilant after last week’s successful Virgin Atlantic biojet test-flight.

Just one year ago, flying biofuels at 30,000 feet was deemed impossible. Now we know it works.

Next, Virgin Atlantic and Boeing intend to test biofuel made from algae farmed in seawater ponds on non-productive land in seawater ponds.

But early tests for algae look promising, says a Boeing spokesperson. Fuel derived from algae oil has a lifecycle CO2 advantage, he says, which means it absorbs CO2 when the feedstock is being grown.

It may also produce fewer particulates or other non-CO2 emissions when used in an engine compared to conventional petroleum-based fuel.

(more…)