Snow News

US Capital Freezes
Priscilla Huff, Washington DC Bureau

The US federal government is shut.

The U.S. House of Representatives gave up and went on President's Day recess early.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is planning a trip to Saudi Arabia. Coincidence? Not when the snow is so deep, the weather forecasters have lost count of the inches.

That is my Lhasa Apso, Ginger, on a walk through about 2 inches of snow...that has already been plowed and shoveled three times. The mound of snow next to the bridge is well over a meter and a half.

And yes, there's snow as far as anyone can see. Those are trunks of Kwanzan Cherry trees. Washingtonians are deeply skeptical their famous cherries will ever bloom again, because spring may never come. The lamp posts are about two meters high...and some of them are buried nearly to the the lamp.

My neighbors are wondering, as they try to dig out their cars, where do they put the snow? One neighbor got a car about 95% dug out...and discovered it wasn't his.

Washington is a melting pot. My Iranian neighbors wised up and bought a shovel. The Indian family all works together, but they don't have enough shovels to go around. My Chinese neighbors don't know what to do. And, the Russian teenager keeps himself busy shoveling out cars.

As for myself, I was born in Buffalo, NY, one of the snow capitals of the United States. Yesterday, before this latest snow started, someone observed that the local airport had gotten more snow than Buffalo.

And, for Ginger, he thinks its all fabulous. Lhasa Apsos are the lion dogs of the Buddhist temples of Tibet and Ginger loves to go for a long walk and check out the igloo the young men dug out nearby.

FSN is PASSION for the PLANET's award winning news partner, providing global news from bureaus worldwide.

You'll find world news stories, plus analysis from FSN at FSN REPORTERS BLOG .

Searching in the Societal Web

The ‘societal web’ is beginning to emerge.

Businesses are moving from telling to listening, from informing opinion to facilitating collaborative insight, from one to many and from mono-media to infinite-media. The challenge for us all during this transition will be on how we can continue to maintain our income streams and on how we can adapt to the changing world.

When the web first appeared it was ‘Read Only’ and businesses presented their products and services for people to browse. In our opinion we are heading to the development of sharing as a way of working, of collaborating, in a community environment, by all, for the benefit of that community. Those who gather around your ideas and subject matter become your society, your community, but they set the context and the culture, it’s no longer defined by the owner of the infrastructure.

This is the Societal Web.

How search is changingSearching on the Societal Web is becoming more sophisticated over time. The initial search engine developments through companies such as Google and Yahoo focused on providing a swift route to finding pre-existing content.

In Web 1.0 most sites were relatively static and were informational, in that they were intended to be read by those interested in the subject matter that they discussed. As Web 2.0 and the Societal Web develop and user-generated content became the norm, the volume of information and the extent of web pages changed dramatically. Progressively, websites have to be dynamic in order to be interesting.

Looking back or looking now;
In doing a conditional search using one of the search engines all the existing active web pages are available to be found, but some may be several years out of date. Whilst the search engines make efforts to ensure that new content is more strongly featured than old content where information is relatively unchanging (but one example of where things not changing is an indication of accuracy is Wikipedia ); such an approach may erroneously bring new but incorrect material to the top of a search engine list. These challenges have faced the search engines for some time.

User-generated content however has an immediacy about it. It’s reflecting what’s currently happening. Users of Twitter who understand the #hashtags can follow a particular event simply by tracking what individuals are saying using a particular hashtag. For sporting events and fast-moving news stories, it’s often as quick to follow what’s happening on Twitter using these facilities and their searches than it is to watch using traditional media and through the news.

There is, therefore, a move by both the search engines and Twitter and other similar social network sites to provide search that offers a means to access both historical knowledge and current activity. These changes are being integrated into the search engines including Google which now includes a number of options to allows you just to search, for example, content that’s been added to the web in the last week, or the last month, or the last year. That is still, of course, historic, and as Twitter moves to more real-time searching so the search engines on sites such as Twitter and Facebook and other Societal Web sites is having to cope with an ever growing volume of historical data in their databases.

Balance and Authority;
Between the two I think there is a balance and I suspect that searching will develop into three specific areas;

Firstly, searching the historic record looking for long-standing, unchanging, reliable authoritative articles that provide good background and factual information

Secondly, great real-time search looking at what people are talking about right now, primarily being used for news, current events, sports events and so on

In between, a combination of the two, the third option; looking at tying historic, authoritative data with current authoritative people

This is the most interesting area. Allowing search to look at who has provided good links to authoritative data and who is recognised by others as an authority in their area will enable the search engines and the Societal Web sites to tie good quality content, that meets the needs of the person searching, by relying on the authority of the people that have provided the links to that information in the past.

That’s a whole new area and it’s one that is only just beginning to emerge; we should watch it with interest.

William Buist is Managing Director of Abelard Management Services, which specialises in building trust in teams and communities within its corporate and SME client base.

You can hear more from William Buist on PASSION for the PLANET

What Would You Do With £113million?

On Friday, a £2 investment and a bit of luck could put over £100million in your pocket [it'll need to be a big pocket]. This Friday's Euromillions jackpot is £113million. What would you do if you won?

A former lottery winner has been in the news this week. Michael Carroll won almost £10million 8 years ago. The cash is now gone, and he's on the dole. He says this is where his fortune went ...

£5million family and friends
£1million gambling
£1million Rangers Football Club
£800,000 televisions, sound systems and gadgets
£400,000 cars
£325,000 house
£300,000 parties
£230,000 crack cocaine
£200,000 jewellery
£200,000 swimming pool
£100,000 prostitutes
£60,000 holidays
£55,000 legal fees

Two two-word phrases come to mind: "no way" and "cautionary tale".

What would you have done with that £10million?

Think about that for a bit. Would you buy a mansion, or would you live in a hotel? Would you give lump sums to family, or set up trust funds? Would you donate to a charity, or set up your own? Would you save, or would you invest? Plan what you would do with £10million.

Then think about what you would do with £110million.

We were playing that game the other day, and came to this conclusion ... £10million allows you to easily provide a fantastic life for you & yours, but £110million gives you the opportunity to change the lives of many others.

Warren Buffett is one of the most successful investors in history. He's worth more than $30billion, and that's after giving over $30billlion to charity. Here's what Warren Buffett thinks about money:
" ... I don't have a problem with guilt about money. The way I see it is that my money represents an enormous number of claim checks on society. It's like I have these little pieces of paper that I can turn into consumption. If I wanted to, I could hire 10,000 people to do nothing but paint my picture every day for the rest of my life. And the GDP would go up. But the utility of the product would be zilch, and I would be keeping those 10,000 people from doing AIDS research, or teaching, or nursing."

So as you spend your £2 on a ticket for Friday, what will you be planning to do with the £110million?

AUDIOBLOG: Oceans [Prof Sir David King]

Every Monday, an interview heard on PASSION for the PLANET.

This week Professor Sir David King talks about the need to look after the world's oceans.

CLICK FOR INTERVIEW.

You can hear more interviews on air and on demand at www.passionfortheplanet.com

Generating Your Own Energy - SOLAR WATER HEATING

Generating your own energy is getting easier all the time – and cheaper too!

If you are thinking about generating your own power then there are seven key options: wind turbines, solar water heating and solar electricity, ground source and air source heat pumps, wood fuelled heating and hydro power.

Every Friday (for seven weeks) we’re taking a look at one of the options in more detail.

SOLAR WATER HEATING systems use heat from the sun to warm domestic hot water. A conventional boiler or immersion heater is then used to heat the water further or provide hot water when solar energy is unavailable.

Solar water heating systems use solar panels, called collectors, fitted to your roof. These collect heat from the sun and use it to warm water which is stored in a hot water cylinder.

There are two types of solar water heating panels; evacuated tubes and flat plate collectors.

Flat plates collectors can be fixed on the roof tiles or integrated into the roof. A boiler or immersion heater can be used as a back up to heat the water further to reach the temperature set by the cylinders thermostat when the solar water heating system does not reach that temperature.

Larger solar panels can also provide energy to heat your home as well - though usually only in the summer months when home heating is unnecessary.

The benefits of solar water heating are;

• Hot water throughout the year: the system works all year round, though you'll need to heat the water further with a boiler or immersion heater during the winter months

• Cut your bills: sunlight is free, so once you've paid for the initial installation your hot water costs will be reduced

• Cut your carbon footprint: solar hot water is a green, renewable heating system and doesn't release any harmful carbon dioxide or other pollutants

Various grants of up to £2500 are also available to encourage home owners to generate their own power.

If generating your own power is something you’d like to explore further then The Energy Saving Trust website has a simple questionnaire to help you narrow down your options.

And you can hear more about renewables on PASSION for the PLANET

Tough in the USA

Iraqi Refugees Struggle
Steve Mort, Florida Bureau

The US government has dramatically increased its intake of refugees from Iraq in recent years.

In fiscal year 2009, the US took in nearly 19,000 Iraqi refugees, up from just 200 in 2006.

But for many refugess from Iraq, the move has not been without its problems.

CLICK FOR REPORT

FSN is PASSION for the PLANET's award winning news partner, providing global news from bureaus worldwide.

You'll find more world news stories, plus analysis from FSN at FSN REPORTERS BLOG .

10 Ways to take the Stress out of Relationships

One of the key reasons that people come to consultations at Breathing Space is because of dysfunctional relationships in one way or another.

The area of relationships is one of the main causes of stress in our lives – at home, at work and in all social interactions.

However, we’re more in control of the outcomes in most cases than we might think and we can take the stress out of relationships by following some golden rules, including the following 10 step process:

1. It’s important to understand that nobody has the power to upset you unless you allow it. Nobody can make you feel bad. What dictates how good or bad you feel about relationships is your reaction to the way people behave towards you. Whilst you may feel hurt or upset with someone when they behave in a way you don’t like and whilst we may not have the power to change the situation, we always have a choice about the way we react to people and situations.

2. If you find yourself in conflict with someone, the best way to resolve it is to always be on the look-out to find solutions. Try to understand where the other person is coming from. Speak in terms of ‘When you said or did that, I felt…’ and ‘I’d like to understand...’ This limits the chance of confrontation and a defensive response. Sometimes these conversations can be challenging and upsetting, but in the long run, if we can discuss things openly, we’re more likely to find a solution.

3. Avoid dwelling on the past and playing the blame game. If someone has done something to upset you or vice versa, it is good to reflect and to learn from where things went awry. However becoming involved in ‘tit for tat’ conversations where we each blame the other party for something they did in the past is not helpful. Let go of the past, learn from your experience and move forward.

4. There are occasions where, despite our best attempts to find solutions, the other party may not be willing to change and may wish to hold onto old grudges. In these cases, it is best to avoid wasting energy on soul searching and finding ways to resolve things. Accept that some relationships may not be as close or as friendly as you would like and focus your attention on those relationships that are working and where you get a positive response. If you have to have contact with someone like this, set rules for yourself in the way you handle it and avoid any situations which may expose you to further negative responses.
5. Sometimes when we have been around people a long time, we forget what first attracted us to this person in the first place – as a friend, a work colleague or partner. It’s good to remind yourself of why you liked them initially and remind yourself of other things you’ve found about them that are positive. Keep your focus on what is good and what you find entertaining, helpful, endearing or positive in any way.

6. Our society often teaches us to be judgmental and to think in terms of ‘black and white’ and ‘right and wrong’. However things are rarely that simple. We each have a unique experience of life and just may see things from a different perspective. We can learn from different points of view and it’s actually OK to disagree with someone on occasions and still like each other. Do not expect people to change because you think they ‘should’ be doing something differently. The key is unconditional love and acceptance.

7. However busy you are, make those close to you a priority and manage their expectations. Close personal relationships are important to our happiness and deserve our attention. You don’t have to be a ‘yes’ person all the time and it is often possible to negotiate revised timings and schedules if necessary. The key is to recognise potential conflicts and deal with them as soon as you are aware of them rather than hoping things will work out. This gives those involved time to make other arrangements, reduces stress levels all round and encourages trust in relationships.

8. However much we care for others, if we put our own health and wellbeing first and manage our time well, we’re in a better position to help others.

9. If you find that certain people are often critical of you or seem to oppose you constantly, seek their opinion and advice on the next thing that involves them. The old adage ‘Keep you friends close and your enemies closer’ is often good advice. If you give them the opportunity to voice their opinions and get their ‘buy in’ to your plans, you may find them very useful allies.

10. NEVER accept abusive relationships as there is simply no excuse for this behaviour and NOBODY has the right to make you feel any less of a wonderful and unique human being than you are. If people are bullying you in any way, seek professional help and refuse to accept the blame for someone else’s bad behaviour. It’s all part of their power play to make you feel weak, so that they can continue to behave badly.



Annie Lawler is Managing Director of Breathing Space Therapies & Breathing Space for Business

And you can hear more from Annie Lawler on PASSION for the PLANET.

Top 10 Green Cars to watch in 2010

Don’t want to give up the car but want to be green? Here are the Top 10 Green Cars to watch for in 2010 according to “WhatGreenCar”

1. Peugeot iOn electric — CO2: 0 g/km — WGC Rating 10

Following years of being ahead in the electric vehicle (EV) world, Peugeot has now partnered with Mitsubishi to launch the iOn electric car — a French incarnation of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV (sister PSA company Citroen are badging the same car as the 'C-Zero').

The iOn is a proper four-seat electric car. Its 63bhp electric motor provides adequate performance of 0-62 mph in 13.0 seconds, a top speed of 87 mph, a range of up to 81 miles, and a recharge time of 6 hours using a conventional three-pin plug.

However, zero-emission motoring does come at a cost — on top of car purchase, the first 16 kW lithium-ion battery pack is expected to be leased for several hundred pounds per month. That said, fuel costs are less than 2p per mile, road tax is nil, and the car will qualify for the 100% discount from the London Congestion Charge.

Price: tbc. Available: autumn 2010. Website: www.peugeot.co.uk/vehicles/peugeot-car-range/peugeot-ion

2. Nissan LEAF electric — CO2: 0 g/km

When launched later this year, the Nissan LEAF will be the world's first zero-emission C-segment (small family) car.

Designed specifically for a lithium-ion battery-powered chassis, the LEAF is a medium-size hatchback that comfortably seats five adults and has a range of more than 100 miles to satisfy consumer requirements. The car is powered by a compact set of lithium-ion batteries, which generate power output of over 90kW, while its electric motor delivers 80kW/280Nm. This ensures a highly responsive, fun-to-drive experience that is in keeping with what drivers have come to expect from a conventionally powered car.

The LEAF can be charged up to 80% of its full capacity in just under 30 minutes with a quick charger, or more usually at home on a standard socket over 8 hours. While Nissan zero-emissions model is unlikely to be cheap, it will qualify for the planned £2k-£5k consumer grants due in 2011. As with the iOn, fuel costs are less than 2p per mile, road tax is nil, and the car will qualify for the 100% discount from the London Congestion Charge.

Price: tbc. Available: autumn 2010. Website: http://www.nissan-zeroemission.com/

3. Toyota Plug-in Prius hybrid — CO2: 59 g/km (expected)

Following the highly successful launch of the third generation Prius in 2009, this year brings the next development with the launch of their eagerly awaited Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHV).

The PHV, which uses lithium-ion batteries (a first for Toyota), offers greater range on electric power only, significantly reducing fuel consumption and emissions. As its name suggests, the plug-in version can be charged from an external source as well as by the car’s own hybrid drive system. Although test cycles that measure the performance of PHVs are yet to be fully developed, estimates are that the Prius PHV emits only 59g CO2/km in the New European Driving Cycle – this is incredible for a car of this size!

Only Approximately 600 units will be introduced in Japan, the United States, and Europe this year, with 20 coming to the UK in mid-2010.

Price: tbc. Available: summer 2010. Website: http://blog.toyota.co.uk/official-switch-on-for-toyotas-plug-in-prius

4. Audi A1 — CO2: less than 99 g/km (expected)

This year will see Audi launch its long-awaited challenge to the Mini. The compact supermini-sized A1 will use the VW group’s MQB modular transverse engineering package and there will be three different body styles: a three-door hatch, a roomier five-door and a convertible. While the standard Audi A1s on offer will be front-wheel drive, being an Audi, Quattro four-wheel drive will also be available — S1 and Q1 derivatives will have the added traction gains allowed by all-wheel drive.

The choice of engine will be between a 1.4 petrol-unit (65bhp up to 200bhp for the hot hatch) and a 1.6 diesel engine (75bhp and 130bhp). Transmissions on offer will include a standard manual, and a twin-clutch, seven-speed S-tronic gearbox.

The car is already being billed as a challenger to BMW's ultra-successful Mini, and Audi is reported to be targeting 100,000 sales in the A1's first year. Future innovations may even include an electric version of the A1 (again following hot on Mini E’s trail) by 2011.

Price: from £11,000 (estimated). Available: summer 2010. Website: http://www.audi.co.uk/

5. Toyota Auris hybrid — CO2: less than 99 g/km (expected)

With the 2010 Auris hybrid, Toyota will (again) be forging ahead of other car makers with its commitment to hybrid technology. Not only will the Auris hybrid be the smallest hybrid car on the market, it will also be Toyota’s first European hybrid based on a regular production car, and will use the same hybrid technology as Toyota’s latest Prius (the Hybrid Synergy Drive).

While Toyota has not yet provided complete performance details, it claims that the new model should achieve a sub 99g/km CO2 figure with class-leading fuel economy and a 0-62mph acceleration time of around 10 seconds. In order to help it achieve these figures, the hybrid is 20mm lower than a standard Auris, and features additional flat undertrays and a rear diffuser. Even the alloy wheels are designed to reduce air turbulence in the wheel arches, and the car is fitted with low rolling-resistance car tyres.

The engine is able to operate in three modes: ECO for maximum fuel economy, POWER, which uses the electric motor to boost performance, and EV, switching the Auris to electric power alone — for up to 1.25 miles at speeds of to 31mph. Other innovations include solar panels on the roof help power the ventilation system, while LED lights front and rear reduce energy consumption and improve economy.

Price: tbc. Available: mid-2010. YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3_d7HXKYvs

6. Citroen DS3 HDi — CO2: 99 g/km (expected)

Launched at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show the DS3 brings a radically new look to the Citroen range, and is expected to be the first of three planned DS models in a new range.

The new supermini has been designed to be more fuel efficient than the current C3, with two HDi DPFS engines (90bhp and 110bhp) complementing three petrol engines (VTi 95, VTi 120, THP 150), developed in conjunction with BMW.

In particular the lower powered diesel unit will power a car with official CO2 emissions of only 99g/km &#8211 in other words a road tax free car. The more powerful diesel unit has emissions of 115g/km, while the three petrol engine versions emit between 136g/km to 160g/km. Visually striking the new model line promises to offer an extensive level of customisation, including four roof colours, coloured wing mirrors and rubbing strips allowing a myriad of colour-coding options.

Safety is also at the heart of the DS3 concept with 6 airbags, ESP, ABS with EBD and EBA fitted as standard across the range.

Price: tbc. Available: mid 2010. Website: www.ds3.citroen.com/uk

7. Volvo S60 — CO2: 119 g/km (expected)

First unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show last year, 2010 should see the production version of the much publicised S60 Concept. While it remains to be seen which of the numerous on-board innovations make it to the real-world version, its looks and emissions are likely to be close to those of the Concept model.

The new S60 will come with a four-cylinder 1.6-litre petrol unit using high-efficiency GTDi (Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection) technology, producing 180 horsepower. GTDi’s ability to improve fuel economy by around 20% is the main reason that the S60 is expected to have CO2 emissions of only 119g/km — remarkable for a non-hybrid petrol car and more like a diesel in this respect.

The new model may also come with an updated radar-based Volvo’s Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) which maintains a set time gap to the vehicle in front; now usable in slow-moving queues with repeated starting and stopping. Also advertised is the S60’s Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and pedestrian detection, which gives an audible and visual warning to the driver, before automatically braking the car to avoid a pedestrian.

Price: tbc. Available: mid 2010. Website: www.volvocars.com/uk/campaigns/misc/S60Concept/Pages/default.aspx

8. Ford C-MAX — CO2: TBA

Building on the green credentials of the 2009 Ford C-MAX, the all-new 2010 model will provide even better comfort and lower emissions. Based on new C-segment vehicle platform, Ford will offer both a choice of a five-seat C-MAX or seven-seat Grand C-MAX, which features twin sliding doors and innovative seat design to provide outstanding space and flexibility.

In addition to upgraded versions of Ford’s highly acclaimed TDCi diesel engines, the new C-MAX range introduces a number of advanced new technologies including the more fuel-efficient, lower-CO2 EcoBoost petrol engines which use turbocharging and direct injection technology to improve fuel consumption by up to 20%. Ford philosophy is that this technology provides similar benefits to hybrid or diesel engine designs at lower cost.

EcoBoost is also able to deliver the strong low-end torque and responsive performance of a large capacity engine, but with the size, weight and fuel economy of a much smaller unit. Other new innovations include a new more versatile seat layout, semi-automatic parallel parking, blind spot detection, seat belt warning lights for rear seat passengers, and power operation for the tailgate.

Price: tbc. Available: mid 2010. Website: http://www.ford.co.uk/

9. Honda CR-Z hybrid — CO2: TBC

For drivers who want a sports coupe that can claim to be green, Honda is planning to launch the CR-Z (Compact Renaissance Zero) as a follow-up to the successful second-generation CR-X.

The new CR-Z is set to be a hybrid and will be the next Honda hybrid to be launched following the successful Insight launched in 2009, and before the Jazz hybrid which is next in line. Like the Insight, the CR-Z will utilise a mild hybrid Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) drive-train, which places an electric motor between the petrol engine and transmission. Unlike Toyota’s Prius system, this limits the possibility of electric-only operation, but does significantly increase overall fuel economy, so reducing emissions. The efficiency of the 2+2 front-wheel drive sports coupe CR-Z is helped by its small size and low weight.

Price: from £16,000 (est). Available: mid 2010. Website: http://automobiles.honda.com/cr-z

10. BMW 5 Series — CO2: TBA

Under its EfficientDynamics branding, BMW’s 5th generation 5 Series will continue to squeeze maximum performance with minimum emissions. There are plenty of greener (and not so green) models to choose from in the new line-up ranging from the most popular diesel-powered 520d (184hp, 0-62 in 8.1 seconds, top speed of 141mph, 56.5 official mpg, and CO2 of just 132g/km), right up to the petrol-powered twin-turbo 535i (0-62 in 6.0 seconds, 155mph, 33.2mpg , CO2 199g/km). Other main models include the 525d, 530d, 535d, 523i, 535i and 528i. (There is also a decidedly un-green twin turbo 4.4-litre V8 550i with CO2 emissions of 243g/km.)

All 5 Series with manual gearboxes will get a gearshift indicator light, to assist with eco-driving. Regenerative breaking is a standard feature — this tops the battery up with juice using kinetic energy gleaned from breaking.Low-rolling resistance tyres are also an option on some models. As you’d expect from BMW, interior finish is improved yet again, with the new model taking the interior refinement close to 7 Series levels.

Other new innovations include: Park Assist (which scans the roadside for a suitably proportioned parking space), 360 degree cameras which give an all round view for parking convenience and better views around blind junctions and four-wheel steering, which lowers the new BMW’s turning circle by 0.5 metres.

Price: from £27,555. Available March 2010. Website: www.bmwblog.com/2007/05/07/preview-2010-bmw-5-series-revealed

For lots more ways to be green tune into PASSION for the PLANET

AUDIOBLOG: Sleep [Dr Neil Stanley]

Every Monday, an interview heard on PASSION for the PLANET.

This week Dr Neil Stanley talks about the impact modern society is having on our sleep pattern, making most of us go through life tired.

CLICK FOR INTERVIEW.

You can hear more interviews on air and on demand at www.passionfortheplanet.com

Generating Your Own Energy - WIND TURBINES

Generating Your Own Energy - WIND TURBINES

Generating your own energy is probably the way of the future and you can start doing it now.

There are 7 key options: wind turbines, solar water heating and solar electricity, ground source and air source heat pumps, wood fuelled heating and hydro power.

Every Friday, for the next seven weeks, we’ll take a look at one of the options in more detail, starting with Wind Turbines.

WIND TURBINES harness the power of the wind using it to generate electricity. Small systems called "microwind" or "small-wind" turbines can produce electricity to help power lights and electrical appliances in a typical home.

Its worth noting that 40% of all the wind energy in Europe blows over the UK, making it an ideal country for small domestic turbines.

Wind turbines use large blades to catch the wind. When the wind blows the blades are forced round, driving a turbine which generates electricity. The stronger the wind, the more electricity produced.

There are two types of domestic-sized wind turbine:
• Mast mounted: these are free standing and are erected in a suitably exposed position, often around 2.5kW to 6kW
• Roof mounted: these are smaller than mast mounted systems and can be installed on the roof of a home where there is a suitable wind resource. Often these are around 1kW to 2kW in size.

If your small wind system is connected to the National Grid then you can make money by selling any generated electricity to an electricity supply company.


If the turbine is not connected to the electricity grid then unused electricity can be stored in a battery for use when there is no wind.

There are a number of benefits of wind generated electricity;
• Harnessing a plentiful energy source
• Cutting your carbon footprint: wind electricity is green, renewable and doesn't release any harmful carbon dioxide or other pollutants
• Cutting your electricity bills: wind is free, so once you've paid for the initial installation your electricity costs will be reduced
• Store electricity for a calm day: if your home isn't connected to the National Grid you can store excess electricity in batteries and use it when there is no wind.

Various grants of up to £2500 are also available to encourage home owners to generate their own power.

If generating your own power is something you’d like to explore further then The Energy Saving Trust website (www.energysavingtrust.org.uk) has a simple questionnaire to help you narrow down your options.

And you can hear more about renewables on PASSION for the PLANET (www.passionfortheplanet.com)

How to Earn Money and Satisfy Your Heart’s Desire

What can you do if your heart wants you to follow a new occupation but your bank balance suggests that you may need to stay in your current job?

First of all, don’t give up your day job – at least not immediately – but do start taking some kind of action towards your dream occupation. Maybe there is a course you can take, perhaps you can start putting your business together while you are still working or maybe you can do your day job part-time so that you have the best of both worlds.

Often, when we are unhappy with our life we blame our job and think that everything would be okay if only we were doing something else. This is not necessarily the case. My advice is to see if there is an activity you can undertake which will give you a flavour of your chosen occupation while still enjoying the security and familiarity of your current employment.

For example, if you work as a lawyer but deep down you want to be a teacher it may be possible for you to have a taste of teaching by volunteering to mentor a young person who is having difficulty with their lessons at school. You may find that this satisfies your teaching urge and makes your life feel more rounded; then you can continue volunteering and earning your lawyer’s salary at the same time.

Alternatively if the volunteering does convince you that teaching would be a wonderful move for you, then you can continue to pursue this path safe in the knowledge that you’re not making a terrible mistake.

Keeping your job, at least for the time being, can have many other advantages. Your employer might run some interesting charity schemes or you might be able to opt for a career break or take some unpaid leave. Many people who make the move to self employment also find that their employer and/or their colleagues become their first clients. Your employment provides you with a large network of people who know, like and trust you, so find ways to use this to its best potential.

If you do decide to change career and your new occupation is not as well paid, don’t despair. Being unhappy at work can be an expensive business because you end up treating yourself with retail therapy or an endless amount of must-have gadgets.

If your work becomes more fulfilling then you might find that you don’t really need as many designer clothes or technological gizmos. There may also be other ways you can downsize your expenses such as moving to a different geographic area, taking in a lodger or having a cull on subscriptions such as the gym membership you hardly use or the television package which has more channels than you ever watch.

Finally, don’t be afraid to dream big. If you only achieve half of your dreams then that’s a lot more fulfilling than not dreaming and staying boxed into a miserable life!

Cali Bird is a life coach, writer and speaker. Cali specialises in working with people to excavate their long lost goals and desires. She then helps them find a way to get started on these dreams whilst fulfilling their current responsibilities. To download a free ebook “Top Ten Tips To Lead The Life You Want To Lead” go to http://www.leadthelife.net/

You can hear interviews with Cali Bird on PASSION for the PLANET

Top 10 Volunteering Opportunities for 2010

Top Ten Volunteering Opportunities for 2010

New friends and new skills are not all you’ll get from volunteering. You’ll also feel good and it can help you get fitter too!

So to inspire you here are Timebank’s 2010 Top Ten volunteering opportunities (in reverse order)…

10) Get Concerned
Help The Aged and Age Concern support older people. Get involved in befriending, help with someone’s shopping, or visit an older person in hospital.

More details http://www.helptheaged.org.uk/en-gb/HowYouCanHelp/GiveYourTime/Volunteering/default.htm


9) Wave of Kindness
CSV’s “Make a Difference Day” in October each year sees a wave of kindness flood Britain. You can sign up now to keep updated on what’s happening and even start planning your own activity.

More details http://csvmakeadifferenceday.contentandcode.com/How+to+Get+Involved/?dm_i=4TF,33GT,G3IQJ,9P4L,1


8) Community Goodwill
Get involved with WRVS’s work providing practical support for older people. Be a good neighbour and collect shopping or help out at a local hospital, shop or café - just a few of the ways you can volunteer to make a huge difference to someone’s life.

More details http://www.wrvs.org.uk/inside.aspx?page_id=16&dm_i=4TF,33GT,G3IQJ,9P4K,1


7) Walking for Health
There are over 600 walk schemes across the country - get involved and get fit by taking part or volunteering as a Walk Leader. It’s fun and free!

More details http://www.wfh.naturalengland.org.uk/walkfinder/home/?dm_i=4TF,33GT,G3IQJ,9QJY,1


6) Action for Children
Action for Children is out there helping the most vulnerable children and young people get through injustice, deprivation and inequality. Be there for them too - from mentoring and befriending to driving and fundraising.

More details http://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/?dm_i=4TF,33GT,G3IQJ,9P4I,1


5) CHICKS away
Get involved with the life-enhancing experience that CHICKS offers to disadvantaged children by volunteering at a beautiful countryside retreat for six days.

More details http://www.chicks.org.uk/getinvolved_detail.asp?ID=483&dm_i=4TF,33GT,G3IQJ,9P4H,1


4) Fly the nest

Get some fresh air and exercise on an RSPB nature reserve. There are lots of opportunities for everyone from bird experts to novices, from under 16 years old to over 75.

More details http://www.rspb.org.uk/volunteering/about/about.asp


3) Share what others waste
Does seeing packaged food go to waste drive you mad? FareShare need volunteer drivers, navigators or food sorters to help them redistribute surplus food within communities.

More details http://www.fareshare.org.uk/volunteering.php?EmMailerKeywords=fareshare&dm_i=4TF,33GT,G3IQJ,9P4F,1


2) Youth at Risk
Coach a young person and support them to transform their lives. You'll get intensive training so you can spend time with a young person and help them through issues so that they can look towards a bright future.

More details http://www.youthatrisk.org.uk/our_work/areas_of_work/CommunityTransformationPprogramme.html?dm_i=4TF,33GT,G3IQJ,9P4E,1


1) Improve a Life
Hospice care helps people with life-limiting and terminal illnesses to live their lives to the full before dying. Volunteers make a big difference to patients and their families in a wide variety of ways including gardening, serving meals and DIY.

More details http://www.helpthehospices.org.uk/getinvolved/volunteering/


TimeBank tackles social issues by finding ways for people to give their time that inspire them and match their lives. http://www.timebank.org.uk/


You can hear more on air and online at www.passionfortheplanet.com.

AUDIOBLOG: Excellence [Topher Morrison]

Every Monday, an interview heard on PASSION for the PLANET.

This week Topher Morrison , author of the book Settle For Excellence, talks about why we shouldn't chase perfection. This interview is part of our INSPIRING GOOD BUSINESS series.

CLICK FOR INTERVIEW.

You can hear more interviews on air and on demand at www.passionfortheplanet.com

Are We [Hot &] Bothered

The Weather Is Still A Hot Topic

Olly Barret, London Bureau

The BBC has begun talks with New Zealand firm Metra about taking over weather forecasting on Britain's state broadcaster. This is thought to represent the first time since 1923 that the BBC has put the contract out to tender. The Met Office, which currently provides BBC forecasts, has been under fire recently for a series of embarrasing weather predictions.

CLICK FOR REPORT

FSN is PASSION for the PLANET's award winning news partner, providing global news from bureaus worldwide.

You'll find more world news stories, plus analysis from FSN at FSN REPORTERS BLOG .

The Switch To Digital Radio

Steve Fountain is Group Head of Radio at the KM Group.

There has been much scare mongering in recent weeks about digital radio switchover. Some critics have attempted to argue that that the switch from analogue to digital transmission will only benefit larger radio stations and will mean that listeners may no longer be able to listen to their favourite local stations. This is far from the truth and, as Head of Radio for a small local radio group, I would like to set the record straight.Here at the KM Group, we operate seven local radio stations and one digital-only station – all in Kent. Along with 95 per cent of the UK radio industry (including our commercial competitors, the BBC and community radio) we believe that the Digital Economy Bill is crucial to ensuring that Britain’s oldest medium has a viable future. This is because the Bill provides opportunities for stations of all sizes to organise their operations and broadcast their content in the way that is most suitable for them, so that they can continue to provide great national, regional and local services for their listeners. It is no matter of chance that all sectors of the radio industry will benefit; the Bill is the product of an ongoing and constructive dialogue between the radio industry, Ofcom and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

We have to look forward and plan for the future because as things stand, the status quo is unsustainable. Currently the radio industry is supporting both analogue and digital transmission; a financial burden that commercial radio cannot continue to support and which fails to deliver the best value to BBC licence fee payers.

Currently, 90 per cent of the population has a digital signal, and this is improving all the time. Switchover will not take place until coverage across the whole country is as good as it is for FM and, importantly, not before over 50 per cent of radio listening is via digital. The Bill even allows for different switchover dates to be set, to allow for regional differences in coverage and listening to be taken into account. Yes, there are hurdles to achieving these criteria but the Digital Economy Bill will allow us to address these hurdles. The radio sector is already working with the motor industry and set manufacturers to bring a range of products, including ‘converters’ (the equivalent of set-top boxes) to market. The industry knows that getting a great range of low cost sets, with in-car solutions, is critical to delivering a digital future for our industry.

The Bill will also allow the industry to work with Ofcom to improve, re-plan and extend the coverage of local digital radio multiplexes which will help make access to digital radio more affordable for smaller local radio stations. In addition the Bill presents the prospect of much needed deregulation for local commercial radio, with small local stations like ours likely to be the greatest beneficiaries. Local commercial radio cannot afford to lose this opportunity.

Clearly it may be more appropriate for some local stations to stay on FM because it is more financially viable to use this network for their small transmission area. But these stations will also benefit from an improved local FM signal once the national stations upgrade to digital. Devices will also allow listeners to easily tune between stations on digital and stations on FM – with the industry announcing plans on this initiative in the next few months.

Most importantly listeners love their digital radio - it is simpler to tune than analogue radio giving instant access to stations by name rather than by frequency. There are more stations and greater potential for the kind of digital services and interactivity that listeners now take for granted on TV and online – analogue simply does not have the capacity to do this. Digital allows us to be interactive and offer the sort of functionality that we expect from digital media, such as on-screen programme guides, pause, rewind, and record, and more into the future. Digital lets us keep up with fast-paced, multi-media demands of the iPod generation.

Now is not the time for self interest. As an industry we have to ensure that we do what is best for listeners, by ensuring that radio is not left in the backwater and has a future in the digital world for decades to come.

Different Worlds.

The other day I was making my way from Lanark to Livingston. The plan was to meet up with my daughter Belinda, have some lunch and see a movie. Belinda fancied "The Book Of Eli". I wondered if Denzil Washington was going to be a post apocalypic librarian, but the film, and the day, turned out to be not what I was expecting.

First, my train from Lanark was cancelled. With an hour to kill I looked for somewhere quiet to read. In the run up to lunchtime, that's not Lanark's tearooms or cafes. Too much chat. Lanark's library is a little too far from the train station, so I went for the next best thing ... Wetherspoons.

Despite working in radio for over 15 years, lunchtime in a pub is not something I do very often. So not being a seasoned pub grubber, lunchtime in Lanark's Weatherspoons was a different world. At the end of the pub near the bar, tables of men, gathered round a silent wall mounted flatscreen, flickering images of a muted Sky Sports taking the place of a camp fire.

I found myself a quiet little nook at the other end of the bar, I was here to read remember. I came across a couple of interesting bits of news. The company that makes Irn Bru [Scotland's other national drink] have been given permission to build a giant wind turbine that will provide 60% of the energy needed for their Cumbernauld factory. And according to new research, blonde women are more agressive.

As I was digesting this information, my end of the pub started to fill up with mums with pre-school kids. All of the kids were drinking Irn Bru. All of the mums were blonde. I decided not to make any sudden moves. Especially as my nook was obviously popular. All of the mums had made a beeline for my table and I received a salvo of raised eyebrows when they spotted me. Not sure if it was because the table wasn't free, or because I'd broken some unspoken rule by not sitting with the men.

It was time to catch the next train. The journey includes changing trains at a place called Holytown. While I was waiting, a very long freight train rumbled through. This was an Eddie Stobart/Tesco train. Three years ago the [then Labour led] Scottish administration gave the road haulier a £200,000 grant to help set up the freight service, which takes all products bound for Scottish Tesco stores to Grangemouth where they're sent on to the supermarket chain's distribution centre in Livingston. Large letters on the sides of the freight train proudly boast about it's eco friendliness. The freight service has cut 260 lorries a week from Scotland's road, and generated around £3million of environmental benefits.

Eventually, I made it to Livingston, but because of the lost hour Belinda and I had to eat somewhere close to the cinema. She chose ... Wetherspoons!

Livingston's Wetherspoons was a lot less tribal [almost every table contained a mix of sexes], and it was much more exciting. We'd just ordered our food when the free cabaret started. Out of nowhere there was a carfuffle, as bar staff attempted to eject a skinny bloke who quickly ended up shirtless as he and the staff treated us all to a wriggly ballet that morphed into a Keystone Cops chase through and out of the pub and round and round the fountain outside. We wondered if the shirtless chap had failed to tip.

There was a real danger the movie would be an anti-climax. It was okay though, a brilliantly filmed vision of a very different world. Imagine "The Road" directed by John Woo, and the Pope.

AUDIOBLOG: Avebury [Eleanor Eaton]

Every Monday, an interview heard on PASSION for the PLANET.

This week Eleanor Eaton from the National Trust talks about the magical standing stones at Avebury. CLICK FOR INTERVIEW.

You can hear more interviews on air and on demand at www.passionfortheplanet.com

Soup Saves The World, and Money

Every snow cloud has a silver lining. While recent plunging temperatures have cost many businesses millions of lost man hours, there have been some benefits. Car washing, corner shop trade, pizza deliveries and supermarket soup sales are all up.

That last one had me wondering. Why not make your own soup? Cheaper, tastier, eco-friendly, and healthier, especially if you get the ingredients right. Here's the science bit ...

So, how do you make a good, healthy soup? First, you need a good stock. Instead of reaching for that foil wrapped salty cube, try this …

Rather than tossing scraps and odd bits of vegetables left over from cooking, throw them in a large freezer bag and keep the bag in the freezer. Every time you chop fresh herbs, peel an onion, tear up greens for a salad, peel carrots or potatoes, top’n’tail green beans, core a cabbage, decide broccoli stalks or the bottoms of asparagus are too woody, etc, don’t put the bits in the compost, add them to the bag. When it's full, time to make some stock.

Making Stock
Dump the bits of vegetables into a large soup pot. Add cold water, a little more than enough to cover the veg. Put the lid on the pot, and bring to the boil. Turn off the heat, leave the pot in place for an hour (longer if you like). Keeping on the lid means the heat doesn't escape and does the work for you. This passive cooking saves you even more pennies.

Let the mixture cool, then strain the broth. Vegetable stock can be frozen until you're ready.

And when you’re ready, here’s a recipe for Vegetable & Barley Soup. When you combine a grain with a legume you get all the proteins you need, it’s a source of complete protein [you don’t need meat].

Ingredients ...
a splash of olive oil
2 large carrots, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large leek, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
300g frozen peas or green beans (or mix)
basil, oregano, [chopped garlic if you like] to taste
1.5litres vegetable stock
1 tin of chopped tomatoes
100g dried pearl barley (more barley will make the broth thicker).

To Make ...
1. Heat the olive oil in the soup pot on a medium low heat.
2. Add carrot, onion and leek [and garlic]. Add a little salt. Cook until the vegetables are soft.
3. Add basil and oregano. Continue to cook for a few more minutes.
4. Add the remaining ingredients except frozen peas and/or beans, bring the soup to a boil.
5. Reduce heat and cover. Cook for at least an hour to allow the barley to expand and become soft.
6. Add the frozen peas and/or beans about 10 minutes before serving [to avoid them going getting mushy].

Adding other vegetables will enhance the flavor as well as the nutritional value [e.g. try adding sliced or shredded cabbage 10 minutes before serving].

For more tasty, cheap, healthy, green grub go to MunchLessMeat.co.uk

Flying Police In Powered Parachutes

Police Take To The Air With Parachute Power.
Steve Mort, Florida Bureau

Police in rural parts of the United States are looking at new ways to fight crime from the air. As an alternative to expensive helicopters, some law enforcement agencies are experimenting with light-weight craft that stay airborne using just a parachute. One small Florida city is developing a new aviation unit that could become a model for other police forces.

CLICK FOR REPORT

FSN is PASSION for the PLANET's award winning news partner, providing global news from bureaus worldwide.

You'll find more world news stories, plus analysis from FSN at FSN REPORTERS BLOG .

Harps, didgeridoos, kitchen tables and a very quiet mind

I am lying on a large wooden table. Attached to the underside of the table is a series of strings – like piano or harp strings. I am covered in a blanket with a cloth across my eyes to block out the light. A young (rather fit looking!) therapist called Christian is sitting next to me gently plucking the strings below.

A haunting musical sound begins to build, gently resonating through my body. It sounds like three didgeridoos playing harmonies. It’s certainly a pleasant experience but I am skeptical about its therapeutic benefits. Its called a “sound bed“ and it’s part of the spa facilities at The Wiesenhof hotel in the picture postcard village of Pertisau in Tirol in Austria.

The treatment is based on the understanding that the world around us oscillates or vibrates. Humans mostly perceive these vibrations as music or noises. Physics has shown us that these vibrations, if at the correct pitch can activate other bodies. Think of a tuning fork; if you strike the fork and hold it against something else with a similar resonant frequency, it will set that body vibrating too.

This is the principle of Tibetan resonance therapy which uses bells. Johannes Entner at The Wiesenhof wanted to create a treatment that would help calm the mind and body in the same way as the Tibetan bells, but using Alpine traditions.

Since stringed instruments are typical for the Alpine region Johannes chose them as the basis for his idea. He worked in collaboration with Wolfgang Lohmeier, a Munich-based sound engineer and percussionist, and togther they developed a unique bed with 15 strings tuned to the sound of the Earth.

During the treatment you lie on the wooden “resonator box“ with the 15 piano strings underneath. Your therapist then slides his/her fingers across the strings, which are tuned to C sharp. This single fundamental tone generates various overtones providing the bed with a warm, voluminous tone.

At first its just pleasant and I am not sure its really having any therapeutic effect, but gradually as the tones begin to work their magic, I can feel my body and my mind begin to relax. Deeper and deeper.

I not only hear the harmonic frequencies through my ears but I also feel them through my skin.
The idea is that as well as relaxing you, the treatment also helps to improve circulation and balances the autonomic nervous system.

I can certainly say it relaxed me – more than I have experienced for a long time. And as it came to an end I suddenly realised that for some time (I have no idea for how long!) I had actually stopped thinking – that inner voice had shut up! I was left with a strong sense of being grounded and calm, which lasted the rest of the day, and that night I slept well and woke up feeling refreshed.

What a shame all kitchen tables arent hooked up with piano strings – giving a dinner party could be alot less stressful!

AUDIOBLOG: How To Think For Success with Mike Dooley

Every Monday, an interview heard on PASSION for the PLANET.

This week Mike Dooley discusses his thoughts on thinking, and how he believes getting it right can improve our lives. CLICK FOR INTERVIEW.

You can hear more interviews on air and on demand at www.passionfortheplanet.com