With blistering summer temperature around much of Europe, it may be hard to convince people to think about heat pumps . But a push for more renewable energy plus the ongoing war in Ukraine and the curtailing of Russian gas and oil means there has hardly been a more pressing time. A heat pump is a system that moves around thermal energy. There are a number of different types of devices based on what they use, including exhaust air, ground and water. Ground-source heat pump equipment taps into the nearly constant temperature below the soil's surface. These geothermal heat pumps draw heat into a building in winter and remove warm air in summer, acting like an air-conditioner. This type of system uses a network of water-filled pipes that are either laid horizontally a few feet underground or pipes drilled vertically much deeper into the Earth's core. Advocates say the systems can be used nearly anywhere and are cheaper to run than other heating and air-conditioning systems like … [Read more...] about Can heat pumps be the answer to higher energy costs?
Net zero energy universe
Maria Sharapova is engaged to Eton-educated Brit businessman with staggering net worth
Throughout her tennis career, Maria Sharapova enjoyed plenty of success on the court, and it is fair to say the same for her life off it too. The five-time Grand Slam champion is currently engaged to Eton-educated businessman Alexander Gilkes. Sharapova and Gilkes began dating in 2018, when the Russian star found herself at the back end of her professional playing career. Two years after their relationship began, The British businessmen popped the question to the 35-year-old and the couple have been engaged since. Sharapova confirmed their engagement via a post on Instagram at the end of 2020, sharing a group of photos and videos of the pair together. READ MORE: World's richest tennis star knocked out of Wimbledon - but will still get £120k prize Posting to her 4.4 million followers, the Russian national wrote: “I said yes from the first day we met. This was our little secret, wasn’t it @gilkesa,” accompanied with an emoji of an engagement ring. Her British partner was … [Read more...] about Maria Sharapova is engaged to Eton-educated Brit businessman with staggering net worth
Bioplant experts say Feilding waste-to-energy plant will work as intended
A duo of experts consulting for a company wanting to turn rubbish collected in Manawatū into various useable products says the technology is sound and will not pollute the environment. Bioplant NZ has applied to Horizons Regional Council for resource consents it needs to build a pyrolysis plant on land leased from Manawatū Regional Council in Feilding next to the town’s transfer station. According to the Ministry for the Environment, pyrolysis involves heating waste without exposure to oxygen, which then produces gas, liquid and solids. Bioplant needs consents from Horizons to discharge gases to the air. READ MORE: Air quality experts say Manawatū pyrolysis plant will have almost no impact Manawatū waste-to-fuel plant touted as way to turn rubbish into energy Feilding pyrolysis plant consent process to be publicly notified Concerns over Bioplant's resource consent for waste-to-energy plant Scientists doubt pyrolysis plant is as green as marketing suggests … [Read more...] about Bioplant experts say Feilding waste-to-energy plant will work as intended
Scottish independence: Greens back general election route to indyref2
Published 1 hour ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing The Scottish Greens said there would be no alterative to a single issue general election on independence if formal consent for indyref2 is not granted. Co-leader Patrick Harvie said it would be the only option if both Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Supreme Court block the request. Opposition parties have criticised the strategy and its timing. It comes after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon last week proposed holding a referendum on 19 October 2023. The UK government said it would examine the first minister's proposals, but stressed that its position that "now is not the time" for another referendum had not changed. It has also said that it is "clear" that the constitution is reserved to Westminster. Scottish independence: 19 October 2023 proposed as date for referendum Is there a mandate for an … [Read more...] about Scottish independence: Greens back general election route to indyref2
How bottom trawling hurts ocean life and speeds up climate change
When Bryce Stewart dived after the toothed, steel-weighted nets of a scallop dredger rumbling over the bottom of the Irish Sea 22 years ago, he witnessed destruction he could never have seen from a boat. "Half crabs. Smashed up sea urchins. Starfish missing some of their arms," said Stewart, a marine ecologist at the University of York. "There was literally a trail of dead and dying things on the seabed." Bottom trawling — a powerful practice in which heavy nets are dragged along the floor of the ocean to catch fish and seafood — is one of the most harmful ways to feed the world. It destroys ecosystems and sweeps up unwanted marine life that gets thrown overboard. From 1950 to 2014, bottom trawlers discarded $560 billion of bycatch, which was more than the value of all catches from longline fishers over the same period. Metal bars and toothed nets wreak havoc on ocean ecosystems Now scientists fear another environmental disaster bubbling under the surface: climate … [Read more...] about How bottom trawling hurts ocean life and speeds up climate change
Census 2021: Can Richmondshire’s population drain be reversed?
By Andrew Barton & Tom Airey Published 1 day ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing The Richmondshire district of North Yorkshire may be as picturesque as they come, but it also has one of the most rapidly declining populations in the UK, according to the latest government census. So why are people deserting the district and what is being done to address the problem? BBC News spoke to people in the sprawling and historic Yorkshire Dales idyll to find out. "I don't think people can afford to live in Richmond itself. It has gone up considerably in the last three or four years," says 57-year-old Sarah Uludole. Stopping for a moment on a side street off Richmond's bustling cobbled Market Place, Mrs Uludole pinpoints that rising house prices are one of the biggest issues facing people who are wanting to stay in Richmondshire - and especially in Richmond itself. … [Read more...] about Census 2021: Can Richmondshire’s population drain be reversed?
Full transcript of “Face the Nation” on July 3, 2022
On this "Face the Nation" broadcast moderated by Margaret Brennan: Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas Rep. Adam Schiff , Democrat of California German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Dr. Henning Tiemeier of Harvard University Click here to browse full transcripts of "Face the Nation." MARGARET BRENNAN: I'm Margaret Brennan in Washington. And on this Fourth of July weekend on Face the Nation, we will look at the challenges facing an increasingly divided America. President Biden's message after a week of consultation with our closest allies on the issues threatening global stability: All is well with our friends. The biggest threat to the world view of America is from within. (Begin VT) JOE BIDEN (President of the United States): You haven't found one person - - one world leader to say America is going backwards. America is better positioned to lead the world than we ever have been. The one thing that has been destabilizing is the outrageous … [Read more...] about Full transcript of “Face the Nation” on July 3, 2022
‘You can smell where the money is’: Graeme Hart and his innate sense of commerce
Graeme Hart says he was a “terrible” student who was encouraged to leave school as soon as he turned 15, but once he found what he loved – business and commerce – there was no stopping him. Now 67 and New Zealand’s richest man, Hart says he looks back on his early experiences and on reflection finds them “entirely predictable”. A very independent person, he didn’t enjoy school, but outside of the classroom he had a “wicked” work ethic, and was always working after school and in the school holidays. He funnelled his energy into buying and fixing up cars, pulling apart engines in the family lounge and filling the garage with tools and cars. So after the career guidance counsellor at Mt Roskill Grammar took him aside and suggested he might like to leave school the following day on his 15th birthday, it was a natural transition to get an apprenticeship as a panel beater. READ MORE: Business Hall of Fame: Kiwi entrepreneurs honoured New Zealand's richest person donates … [Read more...] about ‘You can smell where the money is’: Graeme Hart and his innate sense of commerce
Rafael Nadal speaks out after fiery exchange with Wimbledon opponent
Rafael Nadal has a chance encounter with Serena Williams Sign up for FREE for breaking Wimbledon news and player updates SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Rafael Nadal has admitted he was in the "wrong" after he called Lorenzo Sonego to the net to discuss an issue during their third-round match . The Spaniard ended up winning 6-1 6-2 6-4 and continued his discussion with the Italian at the net after disagreeing with his opponent's request to close the roof and turn on the lights. Related articles Rafael Nadal coasts past Lorenzo Sonego at Wimbledon Nadal in 'angry' Wimbledon exchange over 'disrespect and etiquette' Nadal and Sonego appeared to be caught up in heated discussions towards the … [Read more...] about Rafael Nadal speaks out after fiery exchange with Wimbledon opponent
Soaring fuel bills add to ‘dire’ cost pressures facing NHS
Hospitals across Britain face rises in power bills running into millions of pounds as the spiralling cost of living crisis hits NHS trusts. As household fuel bills climb to unprecedented levels, the health service also faces soaring charges as a result of the escalating cost pressures. A survey of NHS trusts across England and Scotland shows they are facing rises of up to £29 million in the three financial years to date. Sharp rises in energy costs caused by factors including the end of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine are also hitting the NHS, figures obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests by Metro.co.uk show. In Nottingham, costs for gas, electricity and oil combined rose from £8.8 million in 2020 and 2021 to £15.8 the following year. The budget, and therefore forecast, for the current financial year is £37.9 million. At St George’s Trust in London , which runs one of the largest hospitals in the UK, the bill for gas and electricity is due … [Read more...] about Soaring fuel bills add to ‘dire’ cost pressures facing NHS