Design
Most energy comes from burning fossil fuels. This produces greenhouse gases which add to climate change. Designers need to think about the energy used in the production and use of products. The future of designing is in products that will benefit people and the planet. More...
Textiles
The production of textiles requires land, energy and water. We need to use these resources efficiently when we design a textile product. Some textile products can help us reduce waste and save energy. More..
Cement
Production of cement accounts for nearly 5% of human global emissions. 1 tonne of cement production results in 960 kg of CO2
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is one of the most controversial ways of generating electricity. Nuclear power stations are capable of producing large quantities of power almost continuously. Large numbers of people are needed to operate them and this creates skilled jobs in the areas where they are located. Opponents point to the huge damage that could be caused by an accident or terrorist attack, the dangerous waste that is produced, and the inefficiency of producing large amounts of electricity in remote locations.
Changes to Land Use
The way in which the people in Wales use the land will continue to be the most dominant influence on the countryside in Wales. Our response to climate change will involve changes to the way we use the land. The landscape is one of Wales’ greatest assets. The way the land is used will influence our enjoyment of the countryside, as well as the energy we use in our homes and the food that we eat.
Energy Production
Land can be used to produce energy, either the direct generation of electricity such as wind farms or the growing of bio-fuels.
Wind farms are currently the one of the most developed sources of renewable energy. They are also one of the most controversial and generate strong feelings when a new site is proposed.
Bio-fuels are fuels made from plant matter of recent origin. Coal is also made of plant matter (it is made from fossilised trees) but it is not a bio-fuel because it is not of recent origin Special plants can be grown for fuel such as elephant grass, oil seed rape, or sunflowers. Waste products from forestry can also be used.
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