Posts from — October 2004

South of France, Sunday, October 31

This story was uploaded to the website using Vodafone’s new Europe-wide 3G/GPRS data service. The Vodafone card fits into my laptop in the same way as a wireless network card, but instead of hooking up with a base station in the home or office, it roams the entire Vodafone network, including other sister services around the globe.

In most parts of the world, this gives a solo freelance journalist the same communication power that used to be reserved for Reuters correspondents with heavy-duty transportable satellite uplinks. (more…)

Is a major conference on the latest developments in sustainable construction and design, held on Wednesday 15th December 2004 at the Somerset College of Arts &
Technology, Taunton. (more…)

It’s hard for even the most devout anti-consumer to avoid the pressure of the festive season; but you can give in a much more interesting and meaningful way. (more…)

Gaining access to off grid and green energy ideas couldn’t get any easier; the Green Energy Machine (GEM), from the National Energy Foundation will come to you. Designed to raise awareness through schools, fairs and exhibitions, it carries information and demonstrations on key renewable energy concepts. As well as carrying on board a wind turbine, wood burning stove, solar devices including solar bike and fountain, you can get free impartial advice on renewable energy sources. If you think you have an event, know a school that could benefit from a visit or just want to see it action call +44 (0)1908 665555 or visit www.nef.org.uk

World Bioenergy 2006, Conference & Exhibition for Energy, J?nk?ping, Sweden
30 May – 1 June 2006

Those looking for a green solution to the fossil fuel crisis should turn their attention to the rapidly growing field of Biomass. Biomass includes all renewable vegetable and animal matters that can be used for industrial (fiber, chemicals) or energy production (heat, electricity, fuel) and is the focus of the World Bio-energy conference to be held in Sweden in 2006.
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Zero Impact, Absolute Exclusivity sounds almost too good to be true, but the opening this winter of the Whitepod alpine retreat seems to deliver. Travelers keen to experience the fragile and breathtaking environment of the Swiss Alps wilderness, can do so secure in the knowledge that the camp, consisting of five pods at over 1700m will be removed in spring and leave absolutely no trace.
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By C.R.Bhattacharjee, 21/10/04

What happens when being off grid is a necessity and not an option? India has nearly 25000 villages, located in islands or remote areas distant from habitation, where power from grid lines is not techno-commercially feasible. These villages, where population generally varies between 100-1000 are usually inhabited by financially weaker sections of society whose inability to pay for cost of power is a key factor. Their demand for power is primarily for lights to replace kerosene followed by small requirement for water supply.
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While hundreds of homes are kicking out utility companies, and providing their own power, a Suffolk couple finally had an electricity supply connected to their home yesterday – after 37 years.

Pat Payne, 74, and wife Margaret, 72, raised nine children in their farmhouse in Whepstead, near Bury St Edmunds, without electricity. We shall return to the Payne’s in three months time and find out whether electricity has made them happier. (more…)

At the BBC they call him the Jamie Oliver of Architecture, but we think of him as the Corbusier of TV presenters: Architect Charlie Luxton made his BBC series on Guerrilla Homes last month the start of a campaign to change the planning rules (zoning laws in the US).

We want to join in.

Luxton – wants planners to permit ecohouses

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