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UK
leads international group providing satellite data for disaster
relief
THE UK is
taking charge of an international group providing satellite data to
support disaster relief across the globe.
The British National Space Centre and DMC International Imaging Ltd
(DMCii) will lead the International Charter "Space and Major
Disasters" from October 2007 until April 2008. The
organisation's Executive Secretariat and Board will meet in London
on 17 and 18 October 2007.
Minister for Science and Innovation Ian Pearson said:- "The UK
is proud to lead this important group. We often think of space as
being somewhere to explore, but it can also bring enormous benefits
to us here on Earth. By working together, the Charter's
international partners are helping to save lives across the globe."
The Charter was set up in 2000 to provide satellite data and imagery
to help governments and aid agencies plan emergency relief following
major disasters. It has provided valuable information to relief
agencies after earthquakes, floods, landslides and volcanic
eruptions. When the Charter is activated, Earth observation
satellites operated by 14 international organisations are made
freely available. The satellites provide data which is then used to
produce maps and other information for emergency response efforts.
The UK-built Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) is a key member
of the Charter. The five satellites were built by Surrey Satellite
Technology Ltd and are owned individually by Algeria, China,
Nigeria, Turkey and the UK.
DMCii will chair the
Charter Secretariat. DMCii Managing Director David Hodgson said:-
"Imagery from the DMC has been provided for more than 50
disasters and is particularly valuable in monitoring fires and
floods. DMCii is also proud to provide regular emergency
on-call services to the Charter and to task the world's Earth
observing satellites in response to disasters."
The Charter was activated by the UK twice this summer following the
floods in north and south west England. Satellite data and images
were used to produce maps of the flooded areas to help the
Environment Agency assess the full extent of the damage.
Charter members have been called on 34 times so far this year
including on 14 September after floods devastated 12 countries in
West Africa. The Charter was also activated in the aftermath of
Hurricane Felix which hit Nicaragua and Honduras on 4 September
2007.
DARE YOU GET HAUNTED FOR HENSHAWS?
BRAVE
youngsters invited to join Henshaws’ Halloween Walk on Saturday 27
October at Hesketh Park
Brave local youngsters are being asked to take a walk on the wild
side this Halloween to help raise money for local blind and visually
impaired people by taking part in Southport’s first ever Henshaws’
Halloween Walk
Henshaws, a registered charity which provides practical, caring and
imaginative services to blind and partially sighted individuals,
their families, friends and colleagues across the north of England,
supports more than 130 visually impaired people in the Southport and
Sefton area alone.
The Henshaws’ Halloween Walk will take place on Saturday 27th
October 2007.And the event will be so scary that children will need
to be sponsored to take part! They are being asked to raise at least
£5 to join the haunted adventure in Hesketh Park, and everyone that
takes part will be entered into a prize draw.
As well as spooky stories along the way, everyone who takes part
will receive a selection of unexpected prizes on the night.
The event is expected to prove very popular and, since places are
limited, they must be booked in advance. For more information or to
secure a place on the Henshaws’ Halloween Walk please contact Louise
Ingham on 0161 786 3661 or
email.
Refreshments will be available from the Café in Southport.
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ARE
YOU A KEENIE OR A GREENIE?
KWIK-FIT has
identified ‘keenies’ - people who’re keen to live greener
lives, but don’t know where to start. The discovery comes after Kwik-Fit’s
research found that 4.5 million motorists in the UK said they were
concerned about the negative impact that their vehicle has on the
environment, but are unsure about what they can do about it.
Motoring ‘keenies’ are eager to join the 13 million British
drivers (40%) identified by Kwik-Fit as already active in minimising
their motoring carbon footprints. These motoring ‘greenies’
are cutting their carbon footprints by walking more (62%), getting
their car serviced at more regular intervals (37%), using public
transport where possible (35%), driving a more environmentally
friendly vehicle (19%) and cycling (16%). Despite many people
using their own initiative to reduce their motoring carbon
footprint, 21 million motorists (63%) still feel that the motor
industry could provide them with more green options.
Kwik-Fit’s research also found that over 21 million drivers said
they would be interested in a car service that makes their car run
more environmentally friendly. So ‘keenies’ and ‘greenies’
alike will be pleased to know that Kwik-Fit has just launched Go
Green - the UK’s first green car service to help motorists run
cleaner, more efficient vehicles thus reducing their motoring impact
on the environment. Go Green also provides motorists with a
convenient way of neutralising their motoring carbon footprint for
up to 6 months - by giving £10 to an independent carbon offsetting
company on their behalf.
Chris Bosworth, head of Go Green at Kwik-Fit, the UK first green car
service, commented:- “The current drive towards living
cleaner, greener lives has clearly pricked a lot of motoring
consciences. But there are many people who we’ve termed ‘keenies’
who’d like to reduce their motoring carbon footprint that either
don’t know where to start or feel that there aren’t any viable
options for them." He continued:- "It’s all very
well telling people to drive less but this is not always an option,
especially those who live in remote areas or whose livelihoods rely
on them using their car. Similarly, few of us can afford to simply
change our current car for a newer, more fuel efficient model.
Clearly there’s a real demand for the automotive industry to provide
a wider range of green motoring options.”
Chris Bosworth, continued:- “Go Green is a simple way for
those motorists that are concerned about the damage that their car
is inflicting on the environment to do something about it. We
believe that this is the first such service of its kind in the UK
and would urge other car servicing companies to follow suit.”
About Go Green
Kwik-Fit’s Go Green service only costs an extra £29 on top of a
normal interim or full service. For this Kwik-Fit will also carry
out a number of other checks and enhancements that will turn your
car in to a green machine.
£10 of the £29 Go Green charge goes directly to carbon offsetting
activity organised by the CarbonNeutral Company for climate friendly
projects around the world which reduce or absorb carbon in the
atmosphere. Projects include renewable energy, methane capture and
energy efficiency as well as forestry projects which absorb CO2.
Go Green adds just 20 minutes to the service. Motorists will also
receive an information pack about The CarbonNeutral Company scheme
plus a certificate to commemorate the offsetting of one tonne of
carbon. Go Green Service Extras
· Adding a fuel treatment to the tank that systematically cleans the
engine and ensures it burns cleanly and efficiently
· Checking brakes are operating efficiently - minimising the amount
of fuel needed to slow the car.
· Checking emissions for improper gases so that the meet and exceed
legal requirements for a balanced mix.
· Checking that engine management system sensor for O2 is
operational and sending the optimum amount of fuel to the combustion
chamber.
· Offsetting one ton of carbon by funding verified emissions
reductions projects around the world. This is equivalent to 6 months
or 4000 miles of average driving by the average car.
Top Driving Tips for Keeping Green
Remember, you can help reduce your carbon emissions every day by
following our top tips to reduce your driving carbon footprint:
1. Check your tyre pressure often (or get Kwik-Fit to do it for you)
– an underinflated tyre takes more petrol to roll.
2. Service your car annually to check that all is working
efficiently and not using more fuel than necessary.
3. Remove any unnecessary items from your car – a heavier car (and
one with a roof rack) takes more fuel to move.
4. Easing off the gas a little and accelerating slowly will cut fuel
a lot – reducing speed from 70mph to 56mph for example, will reduce
costs by one quarter. |
