‘Oilgae’: fuelling the green future

Along the craggy coastlines of Iceland, Northern Brittany and Ireland seaweed – or ‘dulse’ as it sometimes called – has long been considered a tasty delicacy. Despite only being recognised for it’s nutritious qualities in East Asia and the fringes of Western civilisation, seaweed holds a lucrative promise for a far-hungrier and iconic Western demagogue; the car.

Scientists recently discovered that large amounts of ethanol or ‘oilgae‘ can be extracted from seaweed and its single-celled cousin, algae. This discovery may hold the key to unlocking biofuels from their current ethical and economic dilemma.

Tags: algae, biofuel, oil, renewable energy, renewables, seaweed

For the price of a bike helmet

This article has been cross-posted to the Pompey Bicycle Users Group website here.

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Recently I went on a work ‘risk assessment’ course where we had to identify measures that could reduce the risks in a given activity. We were instructed to start ‘with the most effective safety measures that helped all of the participants‘, and then work our way through to the most ineffective measures.

The ‘measure of last resort‘ – considered the least effective, most expensive and recognised that the risks could not be reduced in any other way – was to mandate safety gear such as goggles or helmets.

The UK’s approach to cycle safety is the measure of last resort by default. It’s one that is heavily focussed on safety gear – such as cycle helmets, fluorescent clothing and bike lights. Yet we have failed to create adequate cycling infrastructure or provide consistent cycle training which would be more effective and help everyone.

Tags: bicycle, budget, campaign, Economy, helmet, holland, infrastructure, petition, safety, sky, training

Why We Need Nuclear

There is much debate currently taking place on the issue of whether or not the UK should build a new generation of nuclear power plant. The debate focuses on two issues: is nuclear (fission) safe and do we actually need nuclear power in the first place.

In this article I will set aside the safety question and instead address why we need nuclear power enough, so much so that the safety question has to be seriously considered and cannot just be dismissed on principle.

Tags: green, nuclear energy, renewable energy, Technology