Forget this summer’s forecasted UK water shortages, many people living in the developing world today have to survive with so little water that things that we see as basic necessities – such as daily showers – have to be foregone for the sake of survival. In many cases too, the uncleanliness of the water and a lack of hygienic bathing facilities can be a major factor in the spread of disease. However, this could soon start to change thanks to a beautifully simple new solar shower solution.

Solar showers, of course, aren’t a new concept. Many of us have been investing in them for use during summer music festivals and camping holidays for many years now. But even the ostensibly cheaper models are made of materials that are difficult to source and expensive to buy in the developing world. This problem was the inspiration for Irish designer Michael Kilbane’s new design.

Drawing on resources that are readily available and easily affordable in the developing world, Kilbane has developed an admirably low-tech prototype for an inexpensive solar-heated shower. The unit is constructed using a 5-gallon water jug, which is painted black, a rope, a pulley and shower tray or basin.

The heating process is simple: the black colouring of the water container helps to heat the water within it. The shower ‘head’ is simply made up of a series of 2mm holes that have been punched into the bottom of the jug, while a pressure release valve controls the water flow above this, with the water holes small enough that no water will leak out providing the valve is shut.

The problem with many solar showers, you might point out, is that they don’t last that long. However, here again Kilbane seems to have provided a worthy solution. With the valve open, the shower releases water at a rate of 1.4l per minute, enabling a 16-minute solar-heated shower – easily long enough for a song or two!

Hopefully this ingenious new shower solution can start to turn the tide for people suffering in the developing world. If you’ve heard of any game-changing new concepts that you think people should no about, then join the conversation at facebook.com/britishgas.

Over 2.3million Thames Water customers will this year become eligible for British Gas’ free cavity wall and loft insulation program, while also receiving a whole host of help and advice when it comes to leading more energy efficient lives.

But if you’re not one of those people, never fear, we’ve got a competition that’s open to everyone across the UK. To celebrate this coming together of water and energy, we’ve got 5 amazing ECO Water Powered Clocks to give away.

To enter this competition, all you have to do is head to facebook.co.uk/britishgas and answer the question. Good luck!

For more information on the partnership between British Gas and Thames Water, head to this newsroom story.

Researchers have revealed that they’ve been able to calculate the impact the Criegee biradical (also known as the Criegee intermediate) – a molecule found in the atmoshphere that may be crucial to halting the advance of climate change.

How? Well (deep breath), Criegee biradicals form in the atmosphere when ozone reacts with an alkene. The molecules that form are without two chemical bonds and, as a result, can react with pollutants such as nitrous oxide, sulfuric dioxide and nitric oxide. This reaction creates aerosols – miniscule particles that have the capacity to reflect solar radiation away from the Earth.

In simple terms, this means that more heat is reflected away, as if the Earth were surrounded by a mirror, rather than getting through the atmosphere and then becoming trapped inside – the greenhouse effect.

Now, this whole theory was hypothesized over 50 years ago by German scientist Rudolf Criegee (hence the name Criegee biradical), but it’s only as a result of this recent research, scientists say, that the real cooling power of this effect has been realized.

The theory would be that, could these Criegee biradicals be produced artificially in the right way, they could be used to geo-engineer the atmosphere – helping to stave off global warming for the long term. However, researchers have been quick to emphasise that they’re not yet anywhere near producing them in this way. The point of the research, they say, is that given 90% of the alkenes that react with ozone in the Earth’s atmosphere to Criegee biradicals are produced by the Earth’s ecosystems (that is, from plants), the best way to maintain the production of these molecules is to protect the environments on Earth where the necessary gases come from. Yet more scientific evidence, then, that we need to be looking after our planet.

But while the rainforests might seem a long way away, we can all do our bit to look after the global environment closer to home, starting of course with the way we use our energy. Cutting the amount of energy we use, and also the type (by using renewable sources), can have a major impact on all our individual carbon outputs. And when it comes to carbon footprints, one small step for man can be a giant leap for mankind.

First up, of course, it’s worth asking whether you need boiler cover. The majority of the time the answer is yes. If you’re the person who’ll be responsible for that boiler should it break down, then it’s definitely worth being covered. A series of small regular monthly payments are nothing compared to the thousands of pounds it can cost to replace a faulty boiler. This is, of course, more important if your boiler is old or faulty, but even if it appears to be in good condition, as soon as its warranty period expires it’s still worth preparing for the unexpected.

The only conditions where boiler cover may not be advisable is if your boiler is within warranty, or you’re renting your property, and so not responsible for its upkeep. Likewise you should check if your overall property insurance covers boiler failure, in which case separate boiler cover is unnecessary. It’s worth knowing that certain insurance companies will insist on a boiler check and can either refuse to insure very faulty units or insist on their refurbishment at the start of the policy.

Once you’ve decided that boiler insurance is the way forward for you, follow this quick checklist and you shouldn’t go far wrong:

1. The first thing to do is look at your own boiler and its manual. Find out the manufacturer, the model and how old it is. Some more obscure makes are not eligible for boiler cover. Boilers over 7 years old will probably need to be inspected before insurance is given, and those older than 15 years may not be eligible at all.

2. Once you’ve made the decision remember you are not obliged to take cover with your energy provider. It’s always worth shopping around to make sure you’re getting the best deal that suits you and your needs the best. Likewise, you can take boiler cover from an energy provider (including British Gas) even if you don’t take energy from them.

3. Next, decide how much of the system you want to insure. Basic boiler cover only protects your boiler and its controls. Prices for this range from about £10 - £13 month. If you choose to cover your complete heating system you will pay anything from £12 to £25 for this more comprehensive type of boiler cover.

4. The higher prices for these plans tend to come with unlimited call-outs. And they may include an unlimited value of work on your boiler. Others, mostly with lower premiums, will include a limited number of call-out and will set a monetary limit on the amount of work. The age and reliability of your boiler will obviously affect what level of cover you go for here.

5. The next thing to check is the no-claims period. Most boiler cover policies will not pay-out if you need help in the first 14-30 days after you have signed the agreement. This is to stop people with pre-existing faults obtaining cover to save themselves money on an otherwise expensive repair job.

6. Look closely at what the insurer defines as an emergency because this could have a major effect on how effective your cover is in reality. Does hot water going off count, or is it only heating? And is there a round-the-clock emergency line for you to call?

Hopefully these tips should have helped you on the road to choosing the right cover for you. To find out more about the boiler cover on offer from British Gas, head to www.britishgas.co.uk/boilercover.

Under the agreement, which will extend over the next five years, Thames Water and British Gas will work together to promote energy-saving and water-saving products - including solar panels, heat pumps, energy-efficient boilers, shower savers and dual-flush toilets to Thames Water customers.

As a first move for the partnership, believed to be the first of its kind in the UK, we will be offering Thames Water’s water customers free loft and cavity wall insulation which can save you hundreds of pounds off your annual energy bills. If you're one of the 2.3 million eligible customers, you'll be receiving an information booklet to your door next month.

"This is just a first step, and we are excited about offering a range of energy and water saving products to customers in London and the Thames Valley,” said Nina Bhatia, Managing Director of Electrical & Dyno Services at British Gas.

While British Gas installers are in Thames Water customers' homes fitting insulation, they will also offer to fit water-saving devices to help people save even more money and use less water. Having had below-average rainfall for 17 of the past 22 months in the South East, the water firm wants customers to use less of the natural resource. Meanwhile we'll also have the opportunity to promote our energy efficiency products to a new customer base.

We'll also be able to check if Thames Water customers could save money by switching their energy supply to British Gas. The energy supplier has the cheapest standard electricity, on average, of any major supplier, after it cut electricity prices by 5 per cent earlier this month.

David Bland of the Consumer Council for Water said:

"It is refreshing to see two big utilities working together to benefit their customers and the environment. The link between energy and water is one that we all need to be mindful of, particularly with water in short supply in the Southeast this year and with energy prices not set to go downwards over the long term. For instance, often water in homes is heated up only to cool down then be re-heated again - a problem that can be addressed simply enough with a combination boiler."

To that end, we are working closely with the police.

We recognise the impact that higher energy prices are having on household budgets. That’s why British Gas has announced a series of measures to help customers through the winter, including a cut in electricity prices, a hold on prices overall, free insulation and help for eligible customers to claim the Warm Homes Discount.

In the past three years, we have spent more than £500m on helping vulnerable customers, more than any other organisation in Britain bar the Government.

In a serious step, major UK water administrators South West water and Thames water have already released drought warnings for the coming year, and as the water threatens to run dry in the taps, it’s never been more important to take care when it comes to your water usage.

Thankfully, boffins over in the US – where water shortages are a far more regular occurence – have invented a clever gadget to help you keep an eye on the amount of water you’re using up. While with its wet reputation water shortages in the UK are rare, the first restriction to hit during our occasional long hot summers is always the hosepipe ban. The Water Saver device enables you to monitor your water usage in real time, ensuring that not a drop of water gets wasted.

A simple device, it attaches to the end of a hosepipe, and measures the amount of water that passes through the gauge, displaying the amount on a clear digital screen in gallons or litres. It’s a great way of saving water by only giving plants the amount of water they need, and it’ll probably surprise a lot of UK users with how much water is wasted unecessarily.

More importantly for those of us on water meters, this could be a really good way of monitoring escalating water bills – a bonus when the cost of living continues to steadily increase ahead of the average wage. More useful still of course would be a gadget to do the same thing inside your house, but maybe that’s next in (hose)pipe line?

How much water do you think you waste?

Get your Water Saver here and find out.

Over a 10-year coaching career in swimming I’ve trained people of all shapes and sizes, and what has become clear to me is that we all have issues we struggle with on a daily basis. This is particularly evident in certain sports where people are confronted with situations or environments where they feel totally uncomfortable and self-conscious.

One of the sports that creates the biggest barrier for participation is swimming – understandably so, given it requires you to take most of your clothes off! But as a coach, it’s distressing to see, because it means that there are many people who are missing out on an amazing sport that can enrich your lives in so many ways.

Once you overcome the barrier of taking that first session then it opens up a whole new world to you, one that’s nowhere near as intimidating as you originally thought. In fact, it’s actually more liberating than anything else!

This blog post is here to help potential wannabe swimmers take the plunge and overcome any barriers you may have to this fantastic sport and life skill. This list takes into account advice from many confident swimmers who all had to overcome individual barriers to swimming themselves in the past to put together ten top tips to get you in the pool.

Top 10 Tips for the Body Conscious

1. Remember that nobody has any interest in what you are doing or what you look like, they are far too concerned with what they are doing!

2. Find a friend/work colleague who is interested in swimming and ask if you can join them for a swim. Having someone there with you will make you feel far less self-conscious when entering the pool for the first time.

3. Speak to your local pool to find out when the pool is least busy. All pools have peak times, so if you’re concerned choose a time when there will be fewer swimmers.

4. If you are worried about your swimming technique then book in for a one-on-one training session with a swimming coach. A good coach will help you overcome any fears you may have and give you guidance on what areas of your stroke you need to focus on.

5. If swimming is too intimidating to start off with then you could always try a pool class like aqua aerobics to build up your confidence first. You will also get to know people here and have great fun at the same time.

6. Make sure you have the right kit – it’s always good for self confidence to look the part! Goggles and a swimming costume are the essentials so it’s worth investing in a new pair.

7. Book onto a swimming course at your local pool. This will help improve both swim technique and water confidence.

8. Find an event to train for, such as the British Gas Great Swim Series. There is nothing more motivating to get you back in the pool than knowing you have something to train for.

9. If swimming a long distance in open water seems too daunting then set yourself a goal of swimming anywhere from 25m to 400m unaided as a first step. Once you achieve these targets then reset these goals to take you to the next level.

10. Remember that coaches, trainers and the vast majority of people have much more respect for somebody who attempts to exercise than somebody that doesn’t. When I see someone who is overweight in the swimming pool, jogging or in the gym my first thought isn’t, “Look how big or small they are”, it’s “Good on you for showing the determination to make a change”.

This blog was written By Julian Nagi – British Gas Swim Coach/Ambassador

Fancy taking the plunge and getting in the pool? You don't have to jump straight in the deep end, head to www.britishgas.co.uk/swimming for information on how you can get involved.

- to meet basic needs (food, fuel, transport)

- to hoard (shoes, wine, stamps)

- to stimulate ourselves (cheesecake, gorgeous clothes)

- to display status (fashion, big car, big house).

Dr Curtis explains that these drives evolved to help our ancestors want things that were good for us, in a world of scarcity, giving them more surviving children than people who didn’t want to consume more than they needed. She argues that our challenge in 2012 is to admit that our all-consuming habits are a problem we need to address.

My interest is in making everyday living more sustainable. This is essential for two reasons. Firstly, because our resources are finite and exponentially increasing consumption will collide with limits to growth (2). Second, the waste products from our production and consumption are polluting the air, land and seas to an extent that is overwhelming life on earth. Sir David Attenborough (3) has responded to the accusation that his recent “Frozen Planet” series was alarmist, saying, “The most extreme statement that I make is that a rising sea level that keeps rising – and it looks as though it could well do – will flood some of the greatest cities in the world, including London. It is an accurate statement and not an exaggerated one."

The signs of warming are only too obvious around us, month by month and year on year. It really is beyond reasonable doubt that our climate is changing, in unprecedented ways. My daughter was born in 1995 and she will soon be 17: all the data sets of global temperature observations concur that she has lived through the 16 warmest years in our planet’s recorded history (4, 5).

So what is the connection between why we consume, the changing climate and our warming world? The answer to this question has been hotly contested but an incredibly robust scientific consensus has established that manmade greenhouse gas emissions, a waste product from human consumption, are changing the earth’s energy balance and pushing our climate away from the stable equilibrium that has persisted throughout the evolution of our species.

The principal manmade greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide and we are emitting this at an ever-increasing rate that dwarfs natural emissions from, for example, volcanic activity. When we are told that global emissions of CO2 from our energy use totalled 33.6 Gigatonnes in 2010 (6), it is difficult to conjure up a meaningful picture of this amount of gas. How big is the atmosphere? What does a tonne of gas look like?

Instead, consider the FLOW of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere from our power stations, chimneys and exhaust pipes. Each tonne of gas occupies 557 cubic metres, at sea level (7). We are pumping 1000 tonnes of CO2 every second into the sky. This works out at a flow rate of more than 2 cubic kilometres an hour. To put that number into some kind of perspective, the volume of fresh water flowing down all of earth’s rivers is just over 4.5 cubic kilometres an hour. So now we can see the sheer scale of our combustion of fossil fuels.

Carbon that was locked away underground over tens of millions of years is being released – by our consuming habits - at an extraordinary rate. This is happening in the blink of an eye, on geological timescales, and its effect on our climate in the coming decades is very likely to escalate. The most rapid warming is taking place at the Poles and this is likely to trigger even larger releases of another greenhouse gas, methane, that has been frozen beneath the Arctic Ocean and in the permafrost of Siberia and Canada since before humans first ventured to those inhospitable climes. This chain of events is called positive feedback and it is expected to lead to irreversible tipping points of runaway climate change, sea level rise and the loss of much of the rich diversity of life that exists in temperate and tropical regions of earth.

What are we to do about this apocalyptic vision? How can we bequeath our children’s children a world worth living in? I am in no doubt that the direction set by Centrica, and British Gas, is the only solution to the crisis that faces life on earth at the start of the third millennium. These two companies, working at the heart of Britain’s energy industry, tell us that they are “looking after your world”. Their central strategy for this is to lead Britain to a low carbon future. Along with Government and the rest of the energy industry, these companies are building the assets to generate energy from renewable resources like sun and wind and, in future, tide and marine currents. The investment needed to do this is enormous but, crucially, the fuel is free. Along with nuclear power and the fabled concept of carbon capture and storage (CCS), these assets are the core of Britain’s plan, enshrined in law in the 2008 Climate Change Act, to cut its carbon emissions by 80% from 1990 levels, by 2050.

The economy requires us to consume but, as consumers, we must make informed choices about how we live our lives. By having regard for the ethical and environmental impact of the goods and services we buy, and the companies we buy them from, we are helping people escape from poverty, preventing the unnecessary suffering of animals and protecting the habitats that shelter the richest diversity of life on land and sea, such as rainforests and reefs.

Our whole society is built on the availability of energy, where and when we want it, at the flick of a switch or the turn of a key. Our energy supply is so reliable that we take it for granted, but we are so dependent upon it that our cities stop functioning in a power cut and our food and travel are rapidly interrupted by transport fuel shortages.

There are two essential ways for each of us to consume energy sustainably. The first, covered at length here, is to buy it from suppliers who are committed to decarbonising their supply. The second, covered in my “cut your carbon” blog (8) and elsewhere, is to take care to use it wisely. This means preventing wasted energy, by insulating our homes properly and, when it’s time to replace lights, kitchen appliances, hi-fi and computers, looking around to find the most energy-efficient appliances we can afford.

In the past five years, my family have halved the amount of electricity and gas we use in our home. In 2012, I hope you will choose to set out on the same journey, looking after your world.

This guest blog was written by Peter Archibald from Sustainable Windsor. You can contact Peter at cutyourcarbon@gmail.com.

References:

Thankfully, the innovative folks at London’s Quarterre Studios have put their heads together and come up with some innovative (and pretty stylish) accessories to make storing your bike less of a pain and more of a pleasure.

Quarterre’s aim is to make their functional products fashionable too, so that they fit in with even the swankiest inner-city flat. The range of bike stands, made from a combination of steel, wood and leather, draw on the firm’s background in the automotive industry for their interesting designs.

These include The Shadow (pictured below-left), a freestanding cantilevered steel unit that also enables you to hang your helmet, and The Hood (pictured top-right), a stylish wall-mounted bracket capable of bearing the weight of a bike, enabling you to store your bike up and out of the way, and taking away the irritation of a precariously leaning bicycle.

Finally, The Branchline (pictured right), made from FSC-sourced wood and leather, enables you to easily store two bikes, one above the other. Leaning against a wall, it’s suitable for any corridor space.

Hopefully Quarterre will be the first of many firms coming up with ingenious ways for us to cope with our increasingly cluttered lives.

Have you got any clever space saving solutions?

For more information on Quarterre’s frames, go to www.quarterre.com
]]>