Thursday, 12 February 2009
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A blog to create an online community within Harrow, West London, that wants to share and stimulate efforts to make this town more environmentally friendly, and get us travelling in more sustainable ways, more often.
Interactive Video
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IT'S UP TO ALL OF US
View our new INTERACTIVE video!
Click play on the video player above (you'll need to have javascript installed) and click on the CAR SHARE, RIDE, WALK, BUS and CHARGE elements as they come up on screen and see what happens!
This video is powered by ClickVID™ an interactive web video production company. To view it as an interactive piece javascript is required, please enable it within your browser.
Topics
- 1010 (1)
- 2010 (3)
- 2012 (4)
- active travel (7)
- active travel champions (1)
- air quality (2)
- barclays cycle hire (16)
- bendy bike (2)
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- bike week (5)
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- car clubs (5)
- car sharing (8)
- chargemaster (6)
- charging points (4)
- climate change (9)
- corey feldman (7)
- cycle (48)
- cycle hire scheme (12)
- cycle training (3)
- cycle tutorials (3)
- cycle tutorials. bikes (1)
- cycles (2)
- cycling (95)
- cycling tutorials (13)
- dal babu (1)
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- earth day (1)
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- electric bikes (6)
- electric car (13)
- electric cars (77)
- electric charging points (28)
- electric cycles (3)
- environment (9)
- european mobility week (9)
- events (2)
- everyones a champion (1)
- facts (3)
- global warming (7)
- GoCycle (1)
- green car (18)
- green transport (41)
- harrow (38)
- harrow college (2)
- harrow town centre (3)
- health (6)
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- hydrogen car (2)
- imiev (1)
- interactive (1)
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- it's up to all of us (12)
- Its up to all of us (63)
- jack black (1)
- keira knightley (1)
- leonardo dicaprio (1)
- living (1)
- London cycle challenge (5)
- mad men (5)
- mayor of london (1)
- mayte (1)
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- st albans church (9)
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- Sustainable living (39)
- sustainable transport (1)
- sustainable travel (65)
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- tag heuer (2)
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- UPDATES (1)
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- walk (27)
- walk leader (1)
- walk the tube (3)
- walk to work (11)
- walk4life (6)
- walking (57)
- walking map (1)
- walks (6)
People supporting the Green Travel effort:
- Harrow Council - Transport Planning info from the council
- Breathe in Harrow - air quality awareness site
- TfL's journeyplanner - an invaluable resource
- imovelondon - Pledge your support to move London
- Transport for London's Smarter Driving page
- DIY Planet Repairs - taking steps towards 'green' living
- West Trans - planning transport in West London
- ACT-Travelwise - Partnership of Organisations supporting sustainable travel
- Hate Green
51 comments:
I agree, the US needs to lead on this and set the precedent. They've already done not nearly enough and their absence in Kyoto only makes this more grave. Here's hoping the change is coming.
He said he'd save the world from climate change so he should!
Er, no I don't think he said that but did say he'd make environment a priority and lead the change. Or something like that, so he still HAS to do it.
4 years? I thought we only had 97 months or something.
I think the issues are different. Obama has to make the changes required within the US in these 4 years else they will never be put in place and after then it will be too late too. I think he needs to implement a lot which will take time, especially in the current climate but I have faith he'll come good on his words.
Ok what he said exactly was:
"Once I take office, you can be sure that the United States will once again engage vigorously in these negotiations, and help lead the world toward a new era of global co-operation on climate change."
So he is planning to take things forward as opposed to what the previous president did and withdraw from things like Kyoto.
"help lead the world toward a new era of global co-operation on climate change."
I love this guy. If I was an American I'd vote for him. And give him a cuddle.
He campaigned on reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. This is a steep target but achievable. What impact this will have given that the doomsday trigger has already been pulled is another matter.
We are already seeing severe weather arriving across the world including heatwaves and snow blizzards in the UK. Minor as they may be now, they only stand to increase and bring with them new diseases, viruses and dangers to human, plant and animal life. These will bring more problems and require more solutions. It certainly isn't too late but I think there'll be a lot more needed than a handful of people 'choosing' to recycle their bags and share polluting cars.
Thanks for your contribution doctor and very interesting, although I wouldn't dampen the spirits of the few who are doing something. Our individual efforts will hopefully lead change and create an overall effect. It's the same as voting. A few people believe in a few politicians and vote for them. One vote may not seem much individually but add them all up and you have change. Sometimes this is revolutionary as we have seen in the US and in the case of Obama, so you've started a process of changing everything.
If enough people buy organic and recycled goods then producing the others won't be economically viable. If everyone buys cleaner fuelled cars then the motor industry will have to cater to demand and legislation may be introduced.
I respect your opinion but feel there is still hope and things can be done, although this may be your inclination I just felt some of it came across more negative than positive.
Cor blimey, 'the doomsday trigger has been pulled'??!?!?
Sunshine and rainbows all round then.
I too thank the doctor for his contribution, although I'm unsure if you're a doctor in this field or a medical doctor!
I agree with him, 'choosing' shouldn't be an option. Efforts to save the planets need to be mandatory through government initiatives which force change in the motor industry, print industry and more. If industries HAVE to do things the green way, things will change.
Obama had a great and realistic plan, now he has to implement it and I think he will.
His website states his new energy plan says he will:
Provide short-term relief to American families facing pain at the pump,
Help create five million new jobs by strategically investing $150 billion over the next ten years to catalyze private efforts to build a clean energy future,
Within 10 years save more oil than we currently import from the Middle East and Venezuela combined,
Put 1 million Plug-In Hybrid cars -- cars that can get up to 150 miles per gallon -- on the road by 2015, cars that we will work to make sure are built here in America,
Ensure 10 percent of our electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025,
Implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050.
All achievable, positive, uplifting and another reason why this man and his vision is hope for the future.
The Obama-Biden plan is available and still a priority for this administration.
May I kindly remind you all that the vision our President has is one that is a wonderful future for America and the world.
From the Obama-Biden plan:
Reduce Carbon Emissions 80 Percent by 2050: Barack Obama and Joe Biden support implementation of a
market-based cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions by the amount scientists say is necessary: 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. They will start reducing emissions immediately in his administration by
establishing strong annual reduction targets, and they will also implement a mandate of reducing emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.
A cap-and-trade program draws on the power of the marketplace to reduce emissions in a cost-effective and flexible manner. Under the program, an overall national cap on carbon emissions is established. The emissions
allowed under the cap are divided up into individual allowances that represent the permission to emit that amount. Because the emissions cap restricts the amount of pollution allowed, allowances that give a company the ability to pollute take on financial value. Companies are free to buy and sell allowances in order to continue
operating in the most profitable manner available to them. Those that are able to reduce pollution at a low cost can sell their extra allowances to companies facing high costs. Each year the number of allowances will decline to match the required annual reduction targets.
Just a side comment, it is so wonderful to see so many well thought out and researched comments. So great to see how our generation will make the difference!
It seems Obama has already started to take actions to meet his targets and make climate change a priority. Check this out from the Guardian:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/feb/04/steven-chu-obama-climate-change-drought
I just read it and am a bit surprised!!!!! :O
Check the names in the article and one particular person who has commented here!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't think it is him but if it is, wayyyy coooool!
Interesting how Arnie is also blaming climate change for forest fires, seems everyone's woken up to the fact that this wasn't all hot air!
LOL@the Arnie commenters name!
Climate change can be tackled, not defeated but managed. We will have to adapt due to our reliance on technology which will be our downfall. But when people want more and expect to pay less and don't care about the impact on the environment it's time to take a stand.
I hope everyone does their bit and monitors how much energy they use, recycles, drives only green cars and thinks about the environment first when doing anything. We only have one planet, let's not mess it up.
There's a long way to go in a very short time and I fear the red tape surrounding the amount that needs to be done and the clearance to get there will delay things in a detrimental manner. However, I have nothing but love and respect for our President and have full faith of his commitment to this country and planet.
Best wishes to you Brits too!
Wow, an American commentor! Hiya from blighty. You can do it if you put your back into it :)
World leaders need to do exactly that: lead the world. Obama is a fine example of someone who has the vision and aspiration to do so although he doesn't look as fresh faced as he did before the election - guess it's a tiring job!
Brown is trying with a sinking economy and giving us interest rate cuts and breaks but he's got his back against the wall. The true measure will be how these leaders force the non-participating territories to become greener, and the first casualty needs to be air travel, which sadly, won't happen.
World leaders need to travel and they should invest in cleaner technology or alternate means because air travel is so expensive when measured against the cost to the planet. Your carbon footprint is blown to smithereens when you fly and so a green lifestyle isn't always enough. There should be a ban on private jets, restrictions on airspace and only allowances made for sincere reasons and not financial or promotional ones (like movie star premieres or rock star world tours) where they should be forced to fly in a standard jet and not a private one. Fines should exist to enforce this and make people travel in a greener way and the money generated from the fines used to enhance the planet and feed it. I can't stand the hypocrisy of someone who recycles, reuses, drives green and then flies everywhere 4 times a year for a holiday. It's as bad as those who fly miles to see the melting glaciers before they disappear, not realizing their trip has just sped up the destruction.
Chris, I really felt your comment. I agree, air travel needs to be curbed. The first commercial ticket was sold 50 years ago and in 50 years we've done so much damage and now have £1 flights on services like Easy Jet. We need to curb flights not encourage them and the planet is dying, not just heating up and suffering, but dying. When will humans realize we need to respect our environment and take care of it and stop our selfish desires for things that destroy it?
As Bush said: I believe humans and fish can co-exist. Maybe he wasn't so dumb after all.
OK, I'm kidding. He was and that's a stupid statement. But you know my intention was environmental.
;-)
feed the planet, nourish the earth and make the difference. Go team!
You guys reflect exactly how I felt when I first heard Corey Feldman#s song about being green. it made me think and you guys do too. I'm gonna listen to his wise words again and hope you all have a great weekend. Here's to the end of wasted paper celebrations and the advent of e-cards booming and low-energy computers, appliances and greener tech.
We can change the world. One mind at a time. Let's do this.
I have a idea for a challenge maybe you guys could put it up on this site? I am a 24 year old Cali gal and if the most high powered businessman who abuses the planet the most stops for the rest of his life, I'll live with him for the time he's sincerely changed. I'm serious. I want to change the most polluting people on earth and make a difference. I'm not for sale, I'm not going to be in a relationship with the guy but be a 'life-enhancer' and give daily support to him and help out. What do you think? :)
Cindy, as admirable as that sounds it is not practical and would only make light of the whole situation. What if the winner is a business WOMAN? What if the guy wants more than a live-in life enhancer? What if you get bored of the rich lifestyle you will be sacrificing yourself into? Forgive my skepticism but it's justified and not because of you but because this is how it will be seen.
I think Cindy you're about to turn me into a businessman who pollutes the planet! Just so I get a shot at the prize ;)
Cindy, that is ridiculous. I'm sure you mean well but the better thing to do is not waste your life and do all you can personally through spreading the green message and recycling, car sharing, saving energy etc. Don't get yourself into an ultimatum situation like this, it is foolish.
I would love this prize!!!!
Honey, I'd give up my high flying lifestyle if you'll stay with me in my pad! You might encourage more people to change but in the wrong way!!!
Babe, grow up.
If it was a businesswoman I would not accept it, and I would only do it in certain conditions. Don't rain on my parade, it could change someone who is killing the planet into someone who is saving it and their money would be spent on good rather than evil.
OK, NEXT!
Yes, I'm sure you'll love spending their money and why the sudden retraction if it's a business woman? Sorry sugar, you just rained on your own parade.
Can we please stick to the topic, it got so inspiring and has now deviated into someone selling themself and trying to make it look green!!!
Obama will make good on his promise. S Chu is a sturdy starter and I know we can change the world together. go Obama!
The US needs to lead, plead with the rest and show them the way. Britain should follow too and I agree with the comment on the other thread about the money for the motor industry being spent on cleaner technology and fuels than anything else.
Harrow, what have you started?! :)
I love this thread and that it has so many people passionate about it and so welcome to hear from the States too and bizarrely from someone called 'Cindy C'.
In Harrow, our recycling is second to none and I'm proud of that. Here's to combatting climate change, greening our journeys and making the change. It's up to all of us, people!
Follow, listen and heed. Make the change. Stop thinking and start doing.
I think Obama is da bomb! He is gonna change the world!
And we can't change the world until we change ourselves.
I am impressed by the dearth of knownledge of this community. I commend your efforts and implore you to continue to hold your elected officials accountable for how they run the White House.
Washington is watching people.
Watch it guys, your blog's on the radar and has been seen by the White House! SERIOUSLY!
Cool, watch it, learn and take action: it's up to all of us.
Nothing to hide here, join in!
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