Congestion Charging Manchester

Plans are for a two-ring scheme, charging up to £5 to enter the city centre at busy times after 2013. The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA), which has proposed the scheme, said no congestion charge would be brought in before "significant improvements" had been made to bus, tram and rail services. The proposed public transport improvements would include:
· Metrolink extension to Manchester Airport and the Trafford centre
· Second Metrolink route across Manchester city centre
· Priority for buses on several major roads
· Extra carriages for rail services
· Stations to become "interchanges", linking into other types of transport

Under the congestion charge, drivers would pay a deposit for an electric tag, which would trigger charges on journeys into the city in the morning and evening rush periods.
Watch out for news of the decision Monday 9th June.

Baby hope for earthquake parents

China is sending medics to offer reverse sterilisation operations to parents who lost their only children in the recent earthquake. Under China's one-child policy, parents who lose a child or have one with disabilities are allowed a second baby. The authorities in Sichuan province estimate about 7,000 of those killed in the 12 May 2008 quake were only children.

A controlled explosion demolished the 35-year-old flats, as part of a revamp in Glasgow. Two tower blocks in Glasgow's Gorbals area have been demolished in a controlled explosion.
Watch the video here

Dorothy Denham, who lived there from 1973 to 1995, said: "They were great. They were lovely. They were so different to where we'd came from in the Gallowgate.
"We had great neighbours and if the flats had been the same as in the 1970s I wouldn't have left them." New Gorbals Housing Association said the multi-storey flats were poorly constructed and would have cost too much to improve.
The housing organisation intends to build 100 modern homes on the site.

see the complete article here

Ten ways to save money by going green

Zonal living
You only really need to heat your bedroom and bathroom for a maximum of a couple of hours each day, typically in the morning. You only really need to heat your living room for the few hours in the evening when you are likely to be in there watching TV. Thermostats and timers can help you heat each zone. (Tell your parents this one and see how they can save money as well as the environment.)

Video conferencing
Encourage your parents to use technology rather than driving for hours or even flying to other countries for a meeting when all you need to do now is log on. The technology is improving all the time and it is now even free if both parties use software such as Skype.

Change your driving style
You can knock up to 20% off your fuel costs simply by changing the way you drive your car. (Tell your parents this one too.)

Cloth nappies

The Women's Environmental Network estimates that parents can save almost £1,000 over the 2.5 years a child is typically in nappies if they use "real" nappies instead of disposable ones.

Tumble dryer
A washing line or clothes horse will help you save hundreds of pounds over the life of an average tumble dryer.

Water butts
Hose pipes can use huge amounts of water, particularly if you're watering a lawn, or washing a car. Whats wrong with a bucket and sponge. Avoid the car wash! Sprinklers are a no-no, really, as they can use hundreds of litres of water an hour.

Invest in a flask
You only need to boil a kettle once in the morning to provide all your hot water for tea and coffee for the rest for the day.

Car clubs
Get public transport... reduce car use and save money is to join a car club.

Read the rest here

River Colorado geography

Here's a wee introduction to this amazing river. One for the Highers and Int 2 starting next week. Welcome back folks!

Fair Trade

Why Fair Trade?

Fair Trade Coffee
Advert
Fair Trade Chocolate
Includes exploitation of farmers and child labour issues.

The world food crisis

How the west could stave off disaster.
The international community is talking hopefully of a "second green revolution."
1986, 20% of foreign aid spent by rich countries was devoted to agriculture in the developing world. By 2006, that share had shrunk to less than 3%.
African governments, currently spend less than 5% of their budgets on supporting farming and the rural people, despite the fact that these are the poorest two-thirds of their populations.
There is also the creeping disaster of climate change with competition for land and resources from biofuels and the controversial problem of GM crops. The crisis will require consideration of long and short term solutions.
The Guardian has a superb article on this topic. See here for details