Eco House

In year 7 we are designing our Eco Houses. What is always surprising is just how many things there are to think about. For example is it better to upgrade existing buildings or build new ones? Do we superinsulate and build underground or do we maximise the use of heat from the sun with south facing windows? Above is our local "Eco House" at Brocks Hill, but lets not forget the environmental features of our new school building. We have been looking at a number of other examples in class, you can view some of them again by following the links here. Also here are some past examples of work for this homework (can you do better?).

Napoli update.

Salvage experts in charge of the recovery of the MSC Napoli, grounded off Lyme Bay in Devon, are planning to remove the ship from the coast.

Mr Middleton, the secretary of state's representative in maritime salvage and intervention said "It will be a case of trying to work out the best methodology, whether we cut her in two or whether we refloat her as she is. But she will be removed."

Follow this story with the BBC here

Bushloe gets the green fingered touch!

Some of you may have noticed that the landscape around Bushloe has recently begun to sprout new plants and trees at an alarming rate! Don't worry, this is not some freak result of global warming but the latest additions to our landscaping, including planting of outdoor teaching areas a sensory garden and borders. Want to know more? Check out the plan on the Eco-club notice board outside Rooms 12 and 13.

Year 7: To fly for?

You may have watched "Should I Really Give Up Flying?" on BBC2 last night. It dealt with the damage that aeroplanes do to the environment and in particular how they contribute to Global Warming as well as a look at the alternatives. You can find all the details here. Of great interest is the woman who rather than flying to Australia went by land (full story on this here). The trip took two months and cost well over £1000 but saved over 1 tonne of carbon dioxide emissions. Perhaps a sacrifice we will all have to make in the future?

Year 7: Global Warming

Global Warming is seriously in the news at the minute. The BBC have been featuring a story about how the government is considering setting standards for carbon offsetting schemes. They included a statistic about a transatlantic flight generating 10 times our own weight in carbon. the story was followed by an ironic reference to Prince Charles making a 7000 mile trip to pick up an environmental award. Meanwhile Tesco have followed Marks and Spencer today in outlining their plans to become more environmentally aware. This all seems very promising but questions have already been raised as to the value of carbon offsetting and the seriousness of industry in tackling global warming. If you are in Mr. Batchelor's set 1 you will be discussing this next lesson.

Year 7: Global Warming

We will soon be starting to look at Global Warming and how this is linked to our unsustainable lifestyles in countries such as our own. We will start to look at sustainable and unsustainable ways of leading our lives. A good starting point is to assess our own impact on the planet. I gave myself a shock today when I used this site. According to the calculator if everyone lived their life like me then we would need 1.9 planets! I wonder how well you will do, perhaps you could post a comment when you find out.