Use "grey water" not mains or "green"- rainwater harvesting and reduced CO2 emissions.
Dr Colin Green of Middlesex University points out that global warming causes increased variability of rainfall. (Pers. comm.)This impinges on water availability and in the driest regions this means increased water stress and shortages. South East England is under water stress already, with little rain in the last 8 weeks (since August.) Globally the picture is far worse, with desert conditions and droughts extending in extent and severity to cause serious food shortages.
In the UK, we use 500 litres of water a day per family, average personal use of water is 150 litres per person day, but this varies from 75-400 litres p/day. (Cath Hassell, Ech2o)
So, how can we act smart when water is in shorter supply?
How can our reduction in mains supply water also slow down global warming?
Firstly, we can prioritise water efficiency.
Second, we can reduce our water demands and thereby reduce water stress in dry periods.
Thirdly, use of mains water and the use of mains hot water are both linked to carbon emissions and global warming. How? More than 5% of greenhouse emissions are associated with the heating of water for showers and baths. Water is 5 times harder than granite to warm up, so if you leave the hot water tap running or have a leaky tap you are wasting water and energy. It takes 0.7 kg of CO2 emissions per 1m3 of mains water used. Worse still, it takes a massive 10 times that amount of CO2 though if you use 1m3 of hot water. (Jacob Tompkins,Waterwise.)
So, reduce hot water use and you cut your bills and CO2 emissions.
How?
1) Do you heat your bathroom by running a hot shower? Don’t- its wasteful in both water and energy terms and it increases CO2 emissions .
2) Understand how your water system works. Be curious.
3) Have a meter installed. Meters installed inside houses show up underground water leaks and you can then mend these quickly (Jacob Tompkins, Waterwise.)We only have 30% water metering in England; this is way behind Germany and other European countries.
3) Consider retro fitting dual flush toilets and slow flow showers.
4) Replace showers with fast water flow rates for showers with slower rates (less wasteful and less expensive to run.)Replace inefficient taps (- why have inefficient taps anyway?)
5)Use “grey water” instead of mains water for toilet flushing and garden irrigation.
What is “grey water”? It’s recycled rain water collected from roofs and gutters and channelled into water butts and rainwater harvesting tanks. Install several water butts.
You can collect all the grey water you need for your garden – that way you won’t need to use “green” (cleansed and pumped) mains tap water for irrigation and garden watering or for flushing toilets.
“Grey water” collected from water butts and rainwater harvesting tanks are sufficient for garden watering. This helps relieve water shortages and water demand at peak times of drought.
5) Next time you re plan/build an extension/ undertake any changes to your house/your office add a rainwater harvesting tank and pump. Creative landscape design can disguise this.
So, intelligent water use can save you money on your mains/fresh water bills and on your waste water bills. It will also help water attenuation, slow and reduce storm water flows, reducing flooding. Plus, you gain your very own water source for the garden and flushing toilets. What could be better than that?
We waste 150 litres of water per day. 1/3 of our green water is used for flushing down toilets – when grey water could do that job. 1/3 is used for showers and baths; 1/3 is used for washing machines and dishwashers. Next time you flush your loo, think about “grey water”.
Thursday 22 October 2009
Tuesday 20 October 2009
Sustainability in design
An American Landscape architect in USA writes;
“LA house, a single family residence, advertised as a "sustainable" house that is the "Ultimate Green Home" for the Next Generation. This house has over 6,500 square feet of AC area, 6 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, a 3-car garage, swimming pool, a home theatre, an elevator, etcetera.
Next week he will report back to us on how this home measures up to an unbiased assessment of its level of "sustainability." He will rate this property on my sustainability scale: from "reality" (i.e., it really is sustainable) to something less sustainable, for lack of a better descriptor let's say we will call it "green" (LEEDish or Energy Star) to the next levels of "green-wash" and finally to "hog-wash."
Of course, we can discuss what it means to be "sustainable" all day long. Your sustainability characteristics may be quite different from his (actually, he really likes Janis Birkeland's list). He states in advance, the measures that he would consider in his report to us:
1. Does this house improve human and ecological health, resilience, and viability?2. Does it increase natural capital, biodiversity, and ecosystem goods and services?3. Does it increase secure access to food and water?
At this point you are likely saying, "give us a break" since there is no house in North America that could possibly come close to meeting your first three measures. He says, not so, we have architects and developers who are doing it now. Let's continue with the measures of "sustainability" by which this house will be judged . . .
4. Does this house enhance urban space for both people and natural processes?5. Does it help to transform our infrastructure from fossil fuel-driven to solar/wind powered?6. Does it conserve open space, wilderness and natural resources?7. Does it increase life quality and substantive life choices for present and future generations?
Food for thought indeed.
“LA house, a single family residence, advertised as a "sustainable" house that is the "Ultimate Green Home" for the Next Generation. This house has over 6,500 square feet of AC area, 6 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, a 3-car garage, swimming pool, a home theatre, an elevator, etcetera.
Next week he will report back to us on how this home measures up to an unbiased assessment of its level of "sustainability." He will rate this property on my sustainability scale: from "reality" (i.e., it really is sustainable) to something less sustainable, for lack of a better descriptor let's say we will call it "green" (LEEDish or Energy Star) to the next levels of "green-wash" and finally to "hog-wash."
Of course, we can discuss what it means to be "sustainable" all day long. Your sustainability characteristics may be quite different from his (actually, he really likes Janis Birkeland's list). He states in advance, the measures that he would consider in his report to us:
1. Does this house improve human and ecological health, resilience, and viability?2. Does it increase natural capital, biodiversity, and ecosystem goods and services?3. Does it increase secure access to food and water?
At this point you are likely saying, "give us a break" since there is no house in North America that could possibly come close to meeting your first three measures. He says, not so, we have architects and developers who are doing it now. Let's continue with the measures of "sustainability" by which this house will be judged . . .
4. Does this house enhance urban space for both people and natural processes?5. Does it help to transform our infrastructure from fossil fuel-driven to solar/wind powered?6. Does it conserve open space, wilderness and natural resources?7. Does it increase life quality and substantive life choices for present and future generations?
Food for thought indeed.
Monday 12 October 2009
Why mycorrhizal fungi are very useful in planting.
What are mycorrhizal fungi?
Soil doesn’t just consist of material derived from underlying parent rocks and decayed plant matter and animals remains. It may surprise you to know that at least 90% of all plants depend on a group of fungi which live on their roots and increase their root capacity by up to 700 times! (Plant works, Kent.)So, if we add some mycorrhizal fungi to all our planting schemes, the soil, plants and ecosystem will all benefit. These fungi are relatively inexpensive to add, when compared to the whole cost of a scheme.
The addition of mycorrhizal fungi has an effect like a tonic given to plants, as they quickly enable the faster establishment of plant roots and that leads in turn to much healthier plant growth and plant establishment. Therefore, you can see the effect of adding the fungi within 1 year, by lusher growth on your larger, healthier, faster growing plants.
The plant groups that benefit the most from the addition of mycorrhizal fungi to their root space are;
Bare root roses.
Bare root trees.
Bare root whips.
All bare root plants are prone to transplant shock which can lead to poor establishment and weak early growth. The fungi reduce mortality and speed first year growth and establishment.
Specimen and root ball plants.
Most rootball plants have a poor root to shoot ratio due to intensive nursery production, but the addition of mycorrhizal fungi compensates for this by increasing root area and thus help the establishment of the plants.
On your next planting scheme consider asking for these fungi to be added at planting time. The cost of using these fungi is really only a fraction of the total planting costs and the investment is likely to be swiftly repaid by faster establishment of plants, lower mortality and fertiliser use can also be reduced, which tends to compensate for the cost of the fungi.
These fungi are most useful on difficult planting sites, where establishment could otherwise be slower than normal;brownfield sites, ex-arable farmland, ex-mining sites, and ex- landfill sites. With the use of mycorrhizal fungi, there are reduced plant mortality and enhanced growth rates. This is because contaminants on ex-landfill sites are also locked up by the fungi. (Without the use of mycorrhizal fungi, the effect of contaminants would be slower plant growth or death.)
Landvision will continue to specify use of mycorrhizal fungi on all sites, particularly on bare root planting schemes, for root ball trees and on difficult sites, where planting schemes need an extra helping hand. They are especially useful on bare root rose planting schemes, where first year old roses show remarkable growth rates and flowering due to their addition.
For more details visit;
www.plantworksuk.co.uk
Landvision.
Soil doesn’t just consist of material derived from underlying parent rocks and decayed plant matter and animals remains. It may surprise you to know that at least 90% of all plants depend on a group of fungi which live on their roots and increase their root capacity by up to 700 times! (Plant works, Kent.)So, if we add some mycorrhizal fungi to all our planting schemes, the soil, plants and ecosystem will all benefit. These fungi are relatively inexpensive to add, when compared to the whole cost of a scheme.
The addition of mycorrhizal fungi has an effect like a tonic given to plants, as they quickly enable the faster establishment of plant roots and that leads in turn to much healthier plant growth and plant establishment. Therefore, you can see the effect of adding the fungi within 1 year, by lusher growth on your larger, healthier, faster growing plants.
The plant groups that benefit the most from the addition of mycorrhizal fungi to their root space are;
Bare root roses.
Bare root trees.
Bare root whips.
All bare root plants are prone to transplant shock which can lead to poor establishment and weak early growth. The fungi reduce mortality and speed first year growth and establishment.
Specimen and root ball plants.
Most rootball plants have a poor root to shoot ratio due to intensive nursery production, but the addition of mycorrhizal fungi compensates for this by increasing root area and thus help the establishment of the plants.
On your next planting scheme consider asking for these fungi to be added at planting time. The cost of using these fungi is really only a fraction of the total planting costs and the investment is likely to be swiftly repaid by faster establishment of plants, lower mortality and fertiliser use can also be reduced, which tends to compensate for the cost of the fungi.
These fungi are most useful on difficult planting sites, where establishment could otherwise be slower than normal;brownfield sites, ex-arable farmland, ex-mining sites, and ex- landfill sites. With the use of mycorrhizal fungi, there are reduced plant mortality and enhanced growth rates. This is because contaminants on ex-landfill sites are also locked up by the fungi. (Without the use of mycorrhizal fungi, the effect of contaminants would be slower plant growth or death.)
Landvision will continue to specify use of mycorrhizal fungi on all sites, particularly on bare root planting schemes, for root ball trees and on difficult sites, where planting schemes need an extra helping hand. They are especially useful on bare root rose planting schemes, where first year old roses show remarkable growth rates and flowering due to their addition.
For more details visit;
www.plantworksuk.co.uk
Landvision.
Friday 2 October 2009
Soil carbon’s role; CO2 emission & flood alleviation.
Soil carbon’s role; CO2 emission & flood alleviation.
Peter Smith of Aberdeen University has found that we can reduce CO2 emissions by 30% if we add more carbon to the soil. What is soil carbon?
Dr Julia Cooper of UEA describes carbon sugars; readily available to plants in the soil, as well as soil fauna and flora, flesh, plant residues, fresh manure, all forms readily absorbed by growing plants. Then there is mature plant residue carbon, well composted manure and peat; this is more stable. Finally there is biochar, black carbon, eg charcoal. This can take thousands of years to be taken up by living plants. So, each type of carbon varies in its ability to be taken up, the rate at which plants can absorb it and in its stability.
Why should we care about soil carbon?
How is it important in climate change and slowing global warming?
Despite tendency of soils to reach equilibrium of carbon levels, there is still ample room for many soils to accept and store more carbon. Soils that have been well managed for years tend to have higher levels of carbon stored in them, but there is room for improvement, especially on other less well managed soils, or soils that have been regularly cropped as arable, and not put down to ley grassland or protected by management as woodland. More carbon stored means less CO2 released into the atmosphere- thus slowing global warming.
Not only will increasing the carbon stores in the soil be good in reducing CO2 emissions into the atmosphere, it is also proven that increased organic matter in the soil replenishes the nutrient balance and restores soil structure.
Why is this improving soil structure important?
Improving carbon levels and improving the structure of the soil creates a stable equilibrium in soils, with less soil erosion, less runoff and thus less flooding – soil carbon and organic matter acts like a sponge, soaking up water and retaining the nutrients in the soil. This combats flooding, as increased organic matter types of soil carbon slows water runoff rates, increases soil ground water infiltration as well as slowing global warming.
If we add organic matter to the soil, we can greatly increase the general health of the soil, one effect is encouragement of mycorrhizal fungi. These fungi increase plants’ nutrient uptake (especially of phosphorus). This helps to protect the plant from pathogens and also encourages healthy growth, with increased yields.
So, what kinds of carbon can we add to the soil? Adding a full diversity of different kinds of carbon to the soil is important. Slowly available carbon such as mature plant residues in the form of recycled, well composted Greenwaste, plus also adding some of the more stable forms of black carbon or biochar, will improve soil structure, plus soil and plant health.
Overall ecosystem health-Adding recycled Greenwaste to soil as an improver and a mulch, minimises the amount of greenwaste going into landfill, as well as having the potential of slowing global warming by reducing CO2 emisssions by 30%. Research shows that adding soil organic matter prevents and minimises the effects of soil erosion and flooding. We have a responsibility to safeguard and improve the soils of the world for our children and their children, so that they will be in a better position to tackle effects of climate change. At Landvision, we will continue our long standing practice of use of recycled Greenwaste as a mulch and soil improver on all landscape schemes; improving soil structure and plant health whilst lessening CO2 emissions & the effects of flooding.
Peter Smith of Aberdeen University has found that we can reduce CO2 emissions by 30% if we add more carbon to the soil. What is soil carbon?
Dr Julia Cooper of UEA describes carbon sugars; readily available to plants in the soil, as well as soil fauna and flora, flesh, plant residues, fresh manure, all forms readily absorbed by growing plants. Then there is mature plant residue carbon, well composted manure and peat; this is more stable. Finally there is biochar, black carbon, eg charcoal. This can take thousands of years to be taken up by living plants. So, each type of carbon varies in its ability to be taken up, the rate at which plants can absorb it and in its stability.
Why should we care about soil carbon?
How is it important in climate change and slowing global warming?
Despite tendency of soils to reach equilibrium of carbon levels, there is still ample room for many soils to accept and store more carbon. Soils that have been well managed for years tend to have higher levels of carbon stored in them, but there is room for improvement, especially on other less well managed soils, or soils that have been regularly cropped as arable, and not put down to ley grassland or protected by management as woodland. More carbon stored means less CO2 released into the atmosphere- thus slowing global warming.
Not only will increasing the carbon stores in the soil be good in reducing CO2 emissions into the atmosphere, it is also proven that increased organic matter in the soil replenishes the nutrient balance and restores soil structure.
Why is this improving soil structure important?
Improving carbon levels and improving the structure of the soil creates a stable equilibrium in soils, with less soil erosion, less runoff and thus less flooding – soil carbon and organic matter acts like a sponge, soaking up water and retaining the nutrients in the soil. This combats flooding, as increased organic matter types of soil carbon slows water runoff rates, increases soil ground water infiltration as well as slowing global warming.
If we add organic matter to the soil, we can greatly increase the general health of the soil, one effect is encouragement of mycorrhizal fungi. These fungi increase plants’ nutrient uptake (especially of phosphorus). This helps to protect the plant from pathogens and also encourages healthy growth, with increased yields.
So, what kinds of carbon can we add to the soil? Adding a full diversity of different kinds of carbon to the soil is important. Slowly available carbon such as mature plant residues in the form of recycled, well composted Greenwaste, plus also adding some of the more stable forms of black carbon or biochar, will improve soil structure, plus soil and plant health.
Overall ecosystem health-Adding recycled Greenwaste to soil as an improver and a mulch, minimises the amount of greenwaste going into landfill, as well as having the potential of slowing global warming by reducing CO2 emisssions by 30%. Research shows that adding soil organic matter prevents and minimises the effects of soil erosion and flooding. We have a responsibility to safeguard and improve the soils of the world for our children and their children, so that they will be in a better position to tackle effects of climate change. At Landvision, we will continue our long standing practice of use of recycled Greenwaste as a mulch and soil improver on all landscape schemes; improving soil structure and plant health whilst lessening CO2 emissions & the effects of flooding.
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