Going Green Podcast, Video blog and Daily News

 Wood Burners vs Heat Pumps: What’s Really Heating Our Homes? There’s something undeniably appealing about a wood burner. The glow. The crackle. The sense of comfort on a cold winter evening. But when you compare wood burners with heat pumps , the difference isn’t just about energy efficiency or carbon — it’s about what you’re breathing . And that’s where the data gets uncomfortable. Wood Burners: Old Tech, New Problems Wood burners are often marketed as natural , renewable , even eco-friendly . The reality is more complicated. Burning wood produces: PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ particulates Nitrogen oxides Carbon monoxide Volatile organic compounds These particulates are tiny enough to: Penetrate deep into the lungs Enter the bloodstream Increase risks of asthma, heart disease and stroke Monitoring indoor air quality shows something striking: short, intense spikes in particulate levels every time a stove is lit, refuelled, or the door is opened. You don’t ...

 Monitoring the Air We Breathe: The Hidden Danger of Particulate Spikes When you start monitoring particulate levels , one thing becomes immediately obvious: the air doesn’t just get a bit worse — it spikes . Daily graphs often show sharp rises in particulate matter, sometimes several times higher than background levels. These spikes may only last minutes or hours, but that’s exactly where the real damage can be done. And the problem? You can’t see them . What Are These Particulates? The most worrying are PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ — microscopic particles small enough to bypass your body’s natural defences. PM₁₀ → inhaled into the lungs PM₂.₅ → passes deep into the lungs and into the bloodstream Once there, they don’t just irritate — they infiltrate . Why Spikes Matter More Than Averages Air quality reports often talk about daily or annual averages . That’s reassuring — and misleading. A short, sharp spike: Triggers inflammation Stresses the cardiovascular system ...

   5 Ways to Save Water – and Save Money (Good for your wallet, great for the planet) With water bills rising and summers getting drier, saving water isn’t just an environmental choice anymore — it’s a financial one too. Here are five simple, practical ways to cut water use at home and keep more money in your pocket. 1️⃣ Fix Leaks (They Cost More Than You Think) A dripping tap can waste thousands of litres a year — all quietly adding to your bill. Quick wins: Replace worn washers Check toilet cisterns for silent leaks Fix outdoor taps after winter 💷 Saving: £20–£50 a year per leak 2️⃣ Shorten Your Showers A power shower can use 10–15 litres per minute . Try this: Cut showers by just 2 minutes Fit a low-flow shower head Use a shower timer (or your favourite song 🎵) 💷 Saving: £60+ per year for a family 3️⃣ Use Water-Efficient Appliances Modern dishwashers and washing machines often use less water than doing things by hand . Best practic...

5 Simple Tips to Save on Your Electricity Bill (Without Making Life Miserable) With energy prices still stubbornly high, many households feel they’re already doing everything they can. The good news? Small, low-effort changes really do add up. Here are five simple, realistic ways to cut your electricity bill—no hair-shirts, no living in the dark. 1️⃣ Use electricity when it’s cheapest If you’re on a smart or time-of-use tariff, electricity can be significantly cheaper overnight or during off-peak hours. Easy wins: Run dishwashers and washing machines overnight Charge e-bikes, tools, or home batteries off-peak Delay tumble drying until cheap-rate periods 📉 Same electricity, lower price. 2️⃣ Switch to LED lighting (everywhere) If you still have halogen or incandescent bulbs, this is the quickest saving you’ll ever make. Why LEDs win: Use up to 90% less electricity Last years rather than months Produce less heat (especially useful in summer) 💡 One bulb ...

 When the Ocean Turns Brown: The Rapid Rise of Seaweed Blooms Over the past two decades, vast seaweed blooms have been expanding across the tropical Atlantic and western Pacific at an extraordinary rate — around 13.4% every year . Researchers at the University of South Florida report that the most dramatic surge began after 2008 , with floating mats of seaweed now stretching for thousands of kilometres. This isn’t just an eyesore for tropical beaches. It’s a sign of deep changes in ocean chemistry, climate systems, and global food chains — with consequences that reach far beyond the tropics, including here in the UK. 🌿 What’s Driving These Mega Seaweed Blooms? The main culprit is nutrient overload combined with warming oceans : Agricultural fertilisers washed into rivers and oceans Untreated or poorly treated sewage Deforestation , increasing nutrient runoff Warmer sea temperatures , accelerating plant growth Changing ocean currents , spreading blooms furth...

  Milk at Any Cost? Why Cheap Prices Are Squeezing British Farmers Milk looks cheap on the supermarket shelf. A couple of pints for a few pounds feels like a bargain—especially during a cost-of-living squeeze. But behind that price tag sits an uncomfortable truth: it costs around 40p per litre to produce milk sustainably (without a modest profit), yet many UK farmers are paid just 29p per litre . The gap doesn’t disappear. Someone absorbs it—and that someone is the farmer. The Real Cost of a Litre of Milk Producing milk isn’t simply a matter of turning grass into white liquid. Dairy farming involves: Feed, bedding and veterinary care Energy for milking, refrigeration and transport Labour, maintenance, compliance and environmental standards Investment in animal welfare and sustainability When all of that is added up, 40p per litre is not a luxury price—it’s what keeps a farm viable. Paying 29p means operating at a loss, year after year. Who Benefits From “Cheap”...