The smell of success!

I can't wait for my next trip to the UK to try out this masterpiece. A bus fueled using biogas from sewage and food waste. With the same composition of natural gas, the waste products are put to excellent use and reduce the demand for dwindling fossil fuel supplies.

The production of biogas has been fairly successful, with excess supplies being added to the national grid. The process of anaerobic digestion of bacteria produces the gas which is then used in the same way as natural gas.

The Bio-bus operates between Bristol airport and Bath, capable of a 184 mile trip before refueling. It was manufactured by GENeco, a subsidiary of  Wessex water and sewage treatment company who invests and researches green initiatives. It is affectionately known as the 'poo bus' despite the fact that no sewage directly reaches the bus.

Whilst there are some disadvantages to using and manufacturing biogas such as the presence of impurities and difficulties of large scale production, it is a step in the right direction for renewable alternatives.

Water, water everywhere...

One thing that most people, including my grade 9 students, know is that most of the earth's surface is covered in water. Around 71% to be more specific. What most people aren't aware is that a huge number of people lack sufficient resources to meet the demands of usage. For most of us, we never consider not being able to access safe water. It is something we take for granted. The millennium development goals, due for review this year, aimed to halve the number of people without access to drinking water. Despite this target being met early, the number of people without access is still staggering.

Almost a million people don't have access to clean drinking water. Imagine a life without being readily able to access drinkable water. Water is the source of life and yet almost 15% of the world's population live without enough to sustain their basic needs.

Some shocking facts about water scarcity:

1. Over 3 million people die each year due to poor water sanitation and water-related diseases.
    Almost all of these are in the developing world

2. More than a billion people do not have any sewage facilities meaning their waste directly pollutes the water supply

3. The average American uses more water in a 5 minute shower than their counterparts in the developing world use in a whole day.
                                              

4. Every 21 seconds, a child dies due to water related illness.
                                          

The latest report from the UN Intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC) has warned countries to wake up to the consequences of global warming on water supplies. Water scarcity is becoming a real problem and could lead to an increase in water crisis and conflict.

We should all make an effort to conserve our most valuable resource by shortening our showers, reusing waste water for plants and consuming less.

Why does the environment matter?

Even today, many people don't care about natural ecosystems and nature. Some economically developed countries are much less environmentally aware than their developing counterparts. A big hats off to Switzerland, the most environmentally friendly country of 2014 according to the IB times but many countries are not so green.

Education is the most important tool in raising awareness about our precious Biosphere. So why is the environment so important? Well, aside from our natural ecosystems controlling fresh water, biodiversity and human health, it is a stunning place which deserves to be protected from harm caused by humans. Take a look at these stunning pics and remind yourself that this is the only planet we have and it needs caring for.

50 ways your home could save the earth

After coming across this info graphic, I had to share the amazing ideas put forward courtesy of good to be home. You know the environment matters for everyone and no change is too small. Have a read to see the easy changes you could make to be more ecofriendly in 2015!

Follow the link to see the complete infographic: http://www.anglianhome.co.uk/goodtobehome/eco-living/50-ways-home-can-save-earth-infographic/#embedwrapper

World Wetlands day!

As well as being my husband's birthday, today is world wetlands day (and groundhog day)! Every 2nd February, a day is given to recognizing these under valued ecosystems.

They purify and replenish our water. They provide the rice and fish that feed billions, act as a natural flood defense and offer an abundance of biodiversity.

Unfortunately these values are not well known and wetlands are often viewed as wastelands. So, 2015 should be pledged to save these amazing resources. I will visit a wetland as soon as I can to appreciate it's diversity, for now my 2015 pledge is to spread awareness of the value of wetlands to my students, friends and family, What will yours be? Visit http://www.worldwetlandsday.org/make-a-pledge to make one today.

Finally, to show our appreciation for one of the most productive type of ecosystems on each, here are a few pictures.