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Drought, Leakage and “Forever Chemicals”: Is This Really How We Should Protect the Thames?

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  Drought, Leakage and “Forever Chemicals”: Is This Really How We Should Protect the Thames? When a river is at its lowest, that may be precisely the time when we should be most careful about what we put back into it. An interesting—and rather worrying—story appeared in The Guardian this morning. It concerns Thames Water's proposed Teddington Direct River Abstraction scheme, designed to help maintain London's water supplies during periods of drought. At first sight, the idea sounds quite clever. Take up to 75 million litres of water a day from the Thames. Transfer that water towards the Lee Valley reservoirs, where it can eventually become part of London's drinking-water supply. At the same time, replace the water removed from the river with highly treated wastewater from the Mogden sewage treatment works. The river level is maintained. London receives additional water. Wastewater is recycled rather than simply discarded. It sounds, superficially at least, rather...
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Eating Greener Without Becoming Vegetarian: Start by Asking Where Dinner Came From

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  Eating Greener Without Becoming Vegetarian: Start by Asking Where Dinner Came From Hook: “Before asking whether your dinner is green, perhaps ask how far it travelled to reach your plate.” There is a problem with some conversations about environmentally responsible eating: they become an argument about labels. Are you vegetarian? Vegan? Flexitarian? Organic? Locavore? For many people, that immediately makes the subject feel more difficult than it needs to be. Eating more sustainably does not have to begin with announcing that you will never eat another bacon sandwich or Sunday roast. It can begin with something much simpler. Turn over the packet. Read the label. Look at the country of origin. Ask where your dinner actually came from. Then ask a few more questions. How was it produced? Is it in season? How much packaging surrounds it? Has it been heavily processed? Are we going to eat all of it? And, perhaps most importantly, is there an alternative that costs less as wel...
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Walk Yourself Greener: The Journey That Costs Nothing and Needs No Electricity

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  Walk Yourself Greener: The Journey That Costs Nothing and Needs No Electricity Perhaps the greenest vehicle you own is the pair of legs you've had all along. When we talk about greener transport, the conversation very quickly turns to technology. Electric cars. Charging points. Batteries. Public transport. E-bikes. Hydrogen. Sustainable fuels. All of these have their place. But there is another form of transport that needs no battery, no petrol, no charging cable and no expensive upgrade. Walking. It sounds almost too obvious to be worth discussing. Yet that is precisely why I think it deserves more attention. Going green is often presented as something we have to buy . Walking reminds us that sometimes the greener choice involves buying absolutely nothing. And unlike many environmental choices, walking can give something back immediately: better fitness, time outside, opportunities for photography, conversations with neighbours and a chance to notice what is happening in...
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