Transition Island Blog

A Renault-Nissan alliance is likely to invest $500 million to $1 billion in developing swappable-battery electric cars.

In Israel, most of its oil comes from Russia, so the country is very aware of its oil-dependency.

Research shows that two thirds of the public have a positive opinion of electric cars.1.2 million households own cars and 210,000 (over 5%) would consider purchasing an electric car.

Moshe Kaplinsky, CEO of Better Place Israel, said “We are not operating in a climate of indifference. The Israeli public is interested in what we are doing”.

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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.

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A Japanese man has created a wave-powered boat.

To test it, he has set out from Hawaii for Japan, hoping to complete the 7,000 km (4,400 mile) journey using only the power of the waves beneath his boat.

The catamaran-like boat, the Suntory Mermaid II, has two wings in front. These convert the energy from waves into a movement similar to a dolphin’s kicks, making it the world’s first boat to be powered by the vertical motion of waves.

harnessing waves

“Twenty years ago while sailing, an accident broke my main mast which actually fell in the sea,” the white-haired Horie said. “The boat kept rocking and I thought how great it would be to actually harness the power of those waves to push the boat forward.”

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On the Isle of Wight, our local bus company is complaining that its free-bus-ride project is threatened by rising fuel prices.

A 35% rise in a year, in fact.
(County Press 14/3/08)

They’re not alone. In the last three months at least four other bus companies have said the same.

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Supermarkets, the original source of free plastic carrier bags, are now moving towards a greener approach.

green buildings

ASDA’s latest high efficiency store in Bootle, Merseyside is due to open in November 2008. The timber-framed store has many sustainable features, including recycled bricks, a recycled aluminium roof, rainwater harvesting and natural lighting. All this will help the store become 50% more energy efficient than a typical ASDA store.

Other supermarkets are also going the same route - eg Marks & Spencer’s first eco-store, opened late last year, uses 55% less power and is powered by turbine.

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From The County Press

The Island’s first bio-diesel company has appealed for businesses to recycle used cooking oil to convert to green fuel.

Wight Made Bio-Diesel plans to increase production to up to 1500 litres a week, after a successful pilot project.

At around 10p a litre cheaper than normal diesel, there is no shortage of demand, accord­ing to company founders Joan Martin and Chris Sprackling.

Committed to the Island, they only use cooking oil that can be recy­cled as opposed to oil specially produced for bio-diesel. “We want it to stay on the Island. Some companies will collect waste oil but then it has to be transported off the Island to be convert­ed.”

So not only do they help the Island’s economy, they also reduce the transport miles involved.

Action:
Help them with your old cooking oil, contact on wmbd(at)hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk

Reports in the County Press, the Isle of Wight’s independent newspaper, show the effect of just one storm.

Thousands lost electricity supply, a flood arrived in the capital town Newport, a tanker ship ran aground and the ferries were battered into paralysis.

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Using your bike to commute can bring you all sorts of benefits.

Independence
Saying goodbye to restricted parking zones, irregular public transport, the last bus home and grid-locked traffic. On a bike you can be flexible and spontaneous, make an unplanned visit to a shop, a park, meet a friend, etc.

Lower travel costs
If you are currently spending as little as £1.20 a day on fares or petrol, changing to cycling could save over £200 a year - money which can be spent on other things. If the commuting costs are more, the savings are even bigger!

Health and fitness
Gentle regular exercise - just 20 miles a week (i.e. only two miles each way for a five day working week) can halve the risk of heart attack. You will arrive at work with a clearer head ready to go without the need of a coffee pick-me-up. Longer term you could expect to firm up, lose weight, and improve your heart rate.

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Twelve Things You CAN Do Right Now

01) Use Low Energy Light Bulbs
02) Monitor Your Use Of Electricity
03) Banish Standby
04) Super Insulate Your Home
05) Reduce Your Heating
06) Heat Your Water With The Sun
07) Switch to Green Energy
08) Change Your Transport Priorities
09) Shop Locally
10) Grow Your Own Food
11) Save Water
12) Subscribe To Permaculture Magazine 

[Details at ReverseClimateChange.co.uk]

Ventnor is in resurgence.

Building works are renewing a tired Victorian holiday town.

A live music tradition is developing a core of cultural activity that is expanding energetically.

And VentnorBlog is gaining a national reputation, with international fans!

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