C.A.T: Centre for Alternative Technology | Soapbox | Lush
The mission of the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) is to inspire, enable and inform people to live more sustainable lives.
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A platform for powerful coverage of activists and activism, Soapbox amplifies minority voices, champions on-the-ground action, and always challenges the mainstream.
Zero Carbon Britain 2030 with Paul Allen Centre of Alternative Energy
Paul Allen External Relations Director of the Centre of Alternative Energy in Machynlleth in Wales discusses Zero Carbon Britain, an in-depth and comprehensive report, addressing the need for the UK to move beyond fossil fuels, to help prevent further damage to our climate and also to address Energy Security.
To help fight Climate Change: Download for free, donate or purchase Zero Carbon Britain 2030
Contact your MP about ZCB 2030
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Chris Morton, Centre for Alternative Technology. Machynlleth, Wales.
In the summer of 2009, Nick Hand set off to cycle around the coast of the British Isles. The people he talked to along the way included artists, craftspeople and makers. More films:
New CAT report - Zero Carbon Britain: Rising to the Climate Emergency
We are experiencing climate breakdown - so what do we do?
Our work clearly demonstrates that we already have the tools and technology needed to efficiently power the UK with 100% renewable energy, to feed ourselves sustainably and play our part in leaving a safe and habitable climate for our children and future generations.
We know what to do, so now we must act!
Using Biochar (charcoal / agrichar / terra preta) to improve soil and sequester carbon
How to make biochar and use it to improve soil fertility and sequester carbon dioxide. A look at the implications for climate change, food production and carbon trading. Video by the Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth, Wales
cat.org.uk
BIOCHAR (from wikipedia): Biochar is charcoal created by pyrolysis of biomass. The resulting charcoal-like material is a form of carbon capture and storage. Charcoal is a stable solid and rich in carbon content, and thus, can be used to lock carbon in the soil. Biochar is of increasing interest because of concerns about climate change caused by emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHG).
Biochar is a way for carbon to be drawn from the atmosphere and is a solution to reducing the global impact of farming (and in reducing the impact from all agricultural waste). Since biochar can sequester carbon in the soil for hundreds to thousands of years, it has received considerable interest as a potential tool to slow global warming. The burning and natural decomposition of trees and agricultural matter contributes a large amount of CO2 released to the atmosphere. Biochar can store this carbon in the ground, potentially making a significant reduction in atmospheric GHG levels; at the same time its presence in the earth can improve water quality, increase soil fertility, raise agricultural productivity and reduce pressure on old growth forests.
About the video:
Biochar is made using a process called pyrolysis, during which organic matter is heated to temperatures below 700 C in the absence of oxygen. This leaves a compound consisting mostly of carbon, which we would call charcoal. The inert character of this carbon means that it is not prone to decomposition unlike most organic matter which eventually rots down and releases its carbon into the atmosphere. By charring plant waste material in this way, carbon is transferred from the relatively fast carbon cycle into carbon storage where it is able to remain for thousands of years in the soils of terrestrial ecosystems. Scientists say that only a small percentage of atmospheric carbon dioxide needs to be captured and stored in order to mitigate our emissions.
Biochar has also been seen, albeit mostly in the tropics, to have a positive effect on crop yields when applied to some soils. This is because it acts essentially as a nutrient sponge, holding on to minerals in the soil for plants to access, and preventing them from being washed out. Research in this area is not conclusive and much more work is needed to ascertain the true potential for Biochar to improve soil quality in other regions. At CAT we are running our own trials to address the use of Biochar as a soil conditioner with urine as a fertiliser. Indeed, it does seem that charcoal has a role to play in future environmental management, although the magnitude that it could be applied is unknown.
On paper it looks good land can be converted to biomass production, feeding the energy industry which profits from electricity production and again from the sale and distribution of Biochar as an industrial waste product. It is also expected that under the clean development mechanism (or whatever replaces it at Copenhagen later this year) Biochar will eventually benefit form tradable carbon credits as a way of buying and selling emissions rights globally. So whats the catch? Amongst the enthusiasts you will find those who urge caution to our optimism. In order to achieve such magnitude of sequestration, vast areas of land would be required- far outstripping the demand of bio fuels and threatening food security globally. We risk displacing current land use practices and people for energy crops and plantations.
We must check our enthusiasm and be sure not to fall for the magic bullet scenario which so many reports claim for Biochar. Most importantly, we cannot hope to have a stable global climate while emissions from the burning of fossil fuels remain so great. Initiatives such as bio-char hold some promise in terms of reducing the worst of climate change, and certainly in providing higher food yields and better soil quality, but only if we recognise this will have to come as part of a range of approaches, including a large scale reduction in direct emissions.
cat.org.uk
CAT Volunteers
What's it like to volunteer at CAT? Find out from Fernando and Daniel.
CAT Graduate School of the Environment
Studying an environmental masters degree at CAT is immersive and interesting providing an integrated understanding of environmental change. Implement sustainable solutions, gain key skills, fit it around your life and make a difference.
Centre for Alternative Technology Q&A
Students from the MSc Sustainability, Planning & Environmental Policy, Cardiff University ask questions to an expert at the Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth, Wales, UK
Dr. Arthur Butler - Faces of Wind
Dr. Arthur Butler is a lecturer in renewable energy at the Centre for Alternative Technology' Graduate School of the Environment. He teaches on the MSc Renewable Energy and the Built Environment, and the MSc Sustainability and Adaptation programmes:
Site community living at the Centre for Alternative Tecnology
Harriet Wallis introduction to the onsite community at Center for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth, Wales. Discovering benefits of environmentally friendly lifestyle choices and living in a green community.
Dulas's Presentation
Rod Edwards from Dulas gives a presentation to the Renewable Wales Network's inaugural conference, 'The Future of Renewables in Wales' at the Centre for Alternative Technology in Machynlleth.
Zero Carbon Britain 2030 with Paul Allen Centre of Alternative Energy
Paul Allen External Relations Director of the Centre of Alternative Energy in Machynlleth in Wales discusses Zero Carbon Britain.
ZCB is an in-depth and comprehensive report, addressing the need for the UK to move beyond fossil fuels, to help prevent further damage to our climate and also addressing Energy Security.
More Action to help fight Climate Change:
Download for free, donate or purchase Zero Carbon Britain 2030
Contact and encourage your MP to support ZCB 2030
Join CAT
Join CAT on Facebook:
Join Centre of Alternative Technology on YouTube:
Find Out about Zero Carbon around the world:
Zero Carbon Australia Launch Video:
Centre for Alternative Technology, training the future green workforce - Ashden Award winner
This video can be downloaded here: The Centre for Alternative Technology won an Ashden Award for Sustainable Energy in 2011. To find out more visit the link above, and follow us on:
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This world-leading centre for practical learning on sustainable energy is training up to a thousand people a year in renewable energy technologies, green building and low carbon living to spread the skills and knowledge the UK needs to transition to a low carbon economy.
Centre for Alternative Technology, 1970's - Film 15079
Ecology and environment issues.
Black female presenter in an abandoned slate-quarry near Machynlleth, mid-Wales. The 'Centre For Alternative Technology'. Interviewer questions man about reasons for centre. These are that resources are finite and we see wind-powered devices. Alternative energy sources which are home-made. Trickle of water comes out of pipe. Man turns fly-wheel which opens a sluice. Spinning machinery. Waterwheel filling slowly and starting to turn.
Gardening to water infertile slopes. Wooden signs in ground indicate ground-cover slate, no plants, slate & compost weedy plants man picking up twigs in background. Compost with large, healthy plants.
Woman tiptoes through overcrowded patio and waters pot-plants from watering-can. Collection of home-made, hotch-potch solar panels. Alan tells us he is trying to compare the efficiencies of as many panels as possible. He strokes his beard as he talks. Graph paper. Alan checks his wristwatch as water pours into a collecting-jug. He examines a measuring-jug. Freshwater carp.
Example of very efficient house where energy-use is monitored. Most of energy it uses is recycled. Woman in dungarees takes cooking-pot out of oven. She spoons food onto plate. She gives plate of rice and lettuce to presenter. It looks and tastes delicious.
Kim Bryan's consensus workshop at the Centre for Alternative Technology.
Kim Bryan talks about her consensus workshop as part of the 'Active Citizenship' module on the MSc Architecture: advanced environmental and energy studies courses . The course is run at the Centre For Alternative Technology, Machynlleth.
Kim works in CAT's media department and is part of the Trapese Popular Education Collective.
A virtual foray into the Machynlleth loop - Part 1
FSX:Acceleration, Horizon Sims Generation X V2.0 scenery, Freetrack Head Tracking, Lots of fun!
Eversheds's Presentation
Jennifer Holgate from Eversheds LLP gives a presentation to the Renewable Wales Network's inaugural conference, 'The Future of Renewables in Wales' at the Centre for Alternative Technology in Machynlleth.
Zero Carbon Britain
A radical vision of Britain' energy future, outlining bold policy drivers to reduce carbon emissions to zero within 20 years. Researched and compiled by CAT - The Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth, Wales. Download the full 100-page report from zerocarbonbritain.com
making electric at C.A.T in Machynlleth
Generating electric at the Alternative Technology Centre in Machynlleth.
Northern Greenhouse presents The Journey To Zero Carbon
The Journey To Zero Carbon is a promotional film for the Northern Greenhouse - A New Vision Of The North Volume 1 book, filmed in July 2016 at the Centre for Alternative Technology in Machynlleth, Wales
The Northern Greenhouse - A New Vision Of The North Volume 1
This film sees the author of the Northern Greenhouse book, ecologist James Walsh following the Zero Carbon Trail to see some of the suggested steps we can be taking to reach Zero Carbon Emissions
The Northern Greenhouse - A New Vision Of The North Volume 1 book is being relaunched on 5th June 2018, World Environment Day, to coincide with the launch of Greener Oldham
At the recent Greater Manchester Green Summit in March 2018 at Manchester Central, a pledge was made to make the City Region Zero Carbon in 2040, but can we achieve this sooner ?
For more information about the Centre for Alternative Technology
Centre For Alternative Technology
Zero Carbon Britain
ReThinking The Future / Embrace The Change