Editors' blog
Martin Wright, 15 Jun 2010
So just how clever is Barack Obama, eh?
There we were, puzzling over the waves of ...
How certified fish can transform communities
September 2nd
In Baja California, the certification of red rock lobster led to major improvements to infrastructure for ten coastal villages.
What innovators can learn from... paint
August 31st
With roughly 400 million litres sold in the UK each year, the environmental impact of decorative paint is significant. But this colourful industry can teach us a thing or two about real change, argues Anna Simpson.
Ecotourism project "repurposes" Albanian bunkers
August 27th
In Albania, where 750,000 military bunkers are an indelible reminder of the Cold War, plans are afoot to turn symbols of hostility into hospitality.
The essential ingredients for smart retail
August 27th
Sally Uren, Deputy Chief Executive at Forum for the Future, whips up a sustainable brand salad.
How will we holiday in 2020?
August 27th
As the English summer draws to a close, Peter Madden takes a tour of tomorrow's top holiday destinations.
Ecotourism drives jobs and reforestation in Costa Rica
August 24th
A private nature reserve on the edge of the Volcán Tenorio National Park reinvents itself as an ecotourism hotspot, saving both the trees and the local economy.
Tug of war over climate change solutions in the US
Jonathon Porritt August 20 2010, Americas, Climate change impacts, People, Politics
Staunch global warming denialists are pitched against military environmentalists in America's climate change debate, as green replaces red, white and blue. Jonathon Porritt muses on the perplexities of the US environmental movement.
Can we be too smart? What is the environmental impact of our growing appetite for ICT?
James Taplin August 19 2010, Climate change impacts, Consumption, Corporate responsibility, Information technology, Science & technology
Our homes and workplaces are getting 'smarter', but how can we balance our appetite for ICT with a sustainable future?
Hydro power that's fish friendly
Julian Rollins August 18 2010, Conservation, Energy conservation & efficiency, Fishing, Green Futures partners, Hydro electric, Innovation, Science & technology, Water
Small-scale, ecologically-sensitive hydropower could be part of the solution to our energy problems, Entec's Neil Webster tells Julian Rollins.
Don't jump too soon, Julie Hirigoyen advises future leaders
Katie Shaw August 17 2010, Built environment, People, Women
Julie Hirigoyen, Lead Director, Upstream Sustainability Services at Jones Lang La Salle talks about her inspiring experience on Forum for the Future's Masters in Leadership for Sustainable Development – and what she's been up to since.
Next generation PV is smaller than small
Julian Rollins August 16 2010, Awards & grants, Built environment, Innovation, Science & technology, Solar energy/PV, Urban
A surge in innovative design to capture sunlight could see all high-rise windows double up as photovoltaic panels, or glitter-sized cells painted onto any shape or surface.
Insuring the poor against climate disasters
Deborah Kirby August 13 2010, Agriculture & Food, Banking, Insurance, Overseas development, Telecommunications
Leading edge technology combined with innovative micro-finance is, for the first time, offering the world's poor some protection against climate change. Deborah Kirby reports.
Over 50% UK farmers regularly online
Madeleine Lewis August 12 2010, Farming/Horticulture, Information technology, Web directories & blogs
Social networking is the fastest growing web-based activity. Now, farmers are turning to chat rooms to share approaches to climate change.
Why businesses should take the long view: Ron Mathison, Finlays
Martin Wright August 11 2010, Biotechnology, Energy conservation & efficiency, Energy sources, Fair Trade, Farming/Horticulture, Organics, Waste & recycling
The man in charge of global tea and flower producer Finlays tells Martin Wright about getting more life from the land for longer.
Sewage: the next source of clean energy?
Sam Jones August 10 2010, Biofuels, Energy conservation & efficiency, Waste management, Waste to energy
Dutch scientists claim that a particular strain of bacteria could turn sewage plants into net producers of energy.
EVs surge in Japan, China, US
Sarah Zerback August 9 2010, Carbon reduction, Cars, Energy sources
Highlights of a fresh wave of interest in electric vehicles: Japan's electric city, NASA's energy storage systems, and low-cost electric motorbikes.
From snake bites to solar lights: Sam Goldman is CEO, D.light
Martin Wright August 6 2010, Eco-products & services, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Inspiration, Social enterprise, Socially responsible investment
It started with a scary night in an African hut. Now it's a multi-million dollar business bringing solar electricity to the poor of rural India. Martin Wright meets Sam Goldman, CEO, D.light.
Major retailers switch off energy-hungry TVs
Michael Ashcroft August 5 2010, Consumption, Energy conservation & efficiency, Lifestyles
A consortium of eight UK retailers have agreed to remove the least efficient television sets from their shelves.
Investment needed to spur UK microgen industry
August 4 2010, Green Futures partners, Microgeneration, Planning
There's no doubt that the UK has massive potential for microgeneration, but more research and investment is needed to get it off the ground – says the Energy Saving Trust.
New LED design targets domestic market
Michael Ashcroft August 3 2010, Eco-products & services, Energy conservation & efficiency
Can a new design help the shift smart lights from the commercial sphere to the home?
A carbon tax for China?
Sam Jones August 2 2010, Asia, Budget/Taxation, Finance
China's top economic planners are proposing a carbon tax to be incorporated into the 12th five-year plan.
Why clean energy isn't worthy
Martin Wright July 30 2010, Awards & grants, Green Futures partners, Inspiration
From the highlands of Kenya to the Manchester streets, sustainable energy is attracting entrepreneurs. Martin Wright profiles the winners of this year's Ashden Awards.
East Asia's first LEED house unveiled
Sam Jones July 29 2010, Asia, Energy sources, Housing, Standards
A green show home complete with PV panels and water recycling could be no more than a drop in the ocean for South Korea.
Are vertical farms the future of urban food?
Anna Simpson and Duncan Graham-Rowe July 28 2010, Architecture, Farming/Horticulture
With more mouths to feed and increasing demands on land, Duncan Graham-Rowe asks whether high rise city blocks will be the source of tomorrow's supper.
Soil sequestration hotspots mapped
Roger East July 27 2010, Biofuels, Carbon sequestration, Forests
When and where is it really smart to use farmland for energy crops? A UK research team is identifying the best UK locations for biomass crops.
An answer to the hydrogen storage conundrum?
Duncan Graham-Rowe July 27 2010, Europe, Hydrogen/fuel cells, Innovation
French company McPhy Energy claim to have developed a way to store a lot more hydrogen at a lesser cost.
Now is the time to invest in a green economy, says Caroline Lucas
Anna Simpson July 24 2010, Green government, Higher/Further Education, People
“We must not miss this window of opportunity”: Green Party Leader and MP Caroline Lucas tells Anna Simpson why now is a perfect time to invest in a low carbon economy, and calls for leaders in business and government to show real courage and commitment.
Kinetic energy converters step up
Julian Rollins July 22 2010, Americas, Innovation, Microgeneration
With a $350,000 grant, the race is on to harness power from the slightest swish of a skirt, twist of a wristwatch or shrug of a shoulder.
Ireland's 3 billion euro bid for energy independence
Flemmich Webb July 21 2010, Europe, Hydro electric, Wind power
A series of pumped hydro storage stations on Ireland's western coast could make the Emerald Isle greener still.
Can the South become climate-resilient?
Anna Simpson, Martin Wright and Roger East July 20 2010, Africa, Asia, Communications/Reporting, Information technology, Organics, Telecommunications, Visions & futures
From solar power and mobile phones to hydroponics and GPS, low-carbon technologies are transforming the economic prospects of people in the global South. Martin Wright asks whether low-income countries are on a fast track to low-carbon prosperity.
Diving robot runs on renewables
Dixe Wills July 19 2010, Americas, Innovation, Wave power/tidal
NASA is using ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) to power the world’s first unmanned underwater vehicle running solely on renewable energy.
A way forward for rooftop micro-wind?
Andrew Purvis July 19 2010, Americas, Innovation, Wind power
Solar Aero Research has patented a bladeless wind turbine which poses no danger to bats and birds, and won't show up on ATC radar.
New life for Dutch dykes
Dixe Wills July 19 2010, Conservation, Europe, Water, Wildlife
A plan to let sea water flow through the dams in a controlled manner could breathe new life into stagnant ponds – and generate energy.
Gasification system claims near 100% efficiency
Alex Johnson July 19 2010, Americas, Biofuels, Waste to energy
A new system, developed by researchers at the University of Massachusetts, pioneers a built-in catalyst to maximise the amount of carbon monoxide and hydrogen produced.
Building trust in brands - without the labels
Anna Simpson July 16 2010, Consumption, Green Futures partners, Retail
Everything from a packet of tea to a toilet roll carries a whole litany of assurances about provenance, impact, recyclability and so on. But, says Jack Cunningham,
Head of Climate Change and Environment at Sainsbury’s, customers are becoming weary of it all.
Google invests in clean energy
Lynley Oram July 12 2010, Americas, Socially responsible investment, Wind power
A significant investment in clean energy by Google suggests it sees the renewable market as a key plank in its emerging business model.
Hot rock power predicted to rise 80% by 2015
Dixe Wills July 12 2010, Asia, Energy sources, Pacific
Global growth in geothermal power has been steady, increasing by around 20% over the last five years. But with 70 countries reporting projects currently in hand or under active consideration, the industry is warming up.
Tokyo launches Asia’s first ETS
Julian Rollins July 6 2010, Asia, Carbon offset/neutrality, Regulation
While Japan deliberates over a nationwide cap and trade scheme, the city of Tokyo has ploughed ahead with mandatory targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – launching Asia’s first carbon trading initiative.
Waterscraper: the answer to crowded cities?
Anna Simpson June 24 2010, Architecture, Solar energy/PV, Visions & futures, Wave power/tidal
In response to our growing population and congested urban spaces, architects have come up with vast, self-contained underwater 'skyscrapers'.
New green paint halves its carbon footprint
Martin Wright June 24 2010, Chemicals, Eco-products & services
Until recently, paint has been green only in colour. Now, with help from Forum for the Future, industry leaders are rethinking this ubiquitous product with sustainability in mind.
New skyscraper design seeks out sunlight
June 24 2010, Architecture, Solar energy/PV
The design behind these spiralling skyscrapers draws on phyllotaxis: the way branches twist towards the sun to maximise warmth and light.
Recycled paper cuts water use
Anna Simpson June 22 2010, Consumption, Green Futures partners, Innovation, Recycling, Water
New efficient recycling process offers to reduce the paper industry’s water footprint, and produce stock that beats virgin pulp in whiteness.
Sustainable business: how to make the case
David Bent June 21 2010, Sustainable accounting
Good environmental management has saved telecoms group BT more than $700 million. Clearly, there was a strong business case, which sharp-eyed analysis and financial tools helped to find. But for many corporate sustainability professionals, identifying that case is something like the quest for the holy grail. David Bent shares some lessons from the front line.
Under pressure: the company putting turbines in gas pipes
Andrew Purvis June 17 2010, Innovation, People
"There's enough pressure in the world's gas pipelines to make every nuclear power station redundant." Andrew Purvis talks to Andrew Mercer of 2OC.
New device promotes smooth bus rides
Dixe Wills June 16 2010, Carbon reduction, Mass transit/Public transport
Aberdeen is fitting its buses with a device which helps drivers reduce fuel consumption by informing them how efficiently they are accelerating, braking and cornering.
Benchmark set for new build
Charles Reynolds June 15 2010, Architecture, Green Futures partners, Planning
Suave new offices in London embody a vision that could transform the construction industry – one which combines locally sourced materials, waste and water recycling, jobs and skills for the community, and maximum energy efficiency.
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The UK, which overtook Denmark in installed offshore wind capacity (597.8MW to the Danes’ 423MW). The completion in October of two wind farms near Skegness also broke the ‘3GW threshold’. UK wind turbines now generate enough electricity to power more than 1.5 million homes – though that still represents only about 2% of total consumption.
Quips
"Think about it. When you are at the checkout, each 'bleep' of the barcode sends a signal down the supply chain... Give consumers more information about products’ carbon footprints, and they will buy greener products... empowered and motivated consumers can be the key to a revolution in green consumption and the technological revolution that must underpin it.."Jonathon Porritt's blog
Green Futures founder and regular contributor Jonathon Porritt gives a frank and fascinating insight into his work and views.
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