From the deficit to drought: changing the way we live
Advertorial Feature
The times they are a-changin’. In recent years, the world has been rocked by economic turmoil, fuel shortages, nuclear meltdowns, natural disasters and Jedward. Whilst the gravity-defying popsters are relatively easy to ignore, the other problems are having much more of an impact on the way we live our everyday lives.
Thirsty gardens
The hosepipe ban is back with a vengeance. Despite our annual dose of April showers, the country is still facing a drought this summer. Many of our reservoirs are parched after two consecutive dry winters, and water companies are warning that it will take a few months of steady rainfall to help them recover.
So what does this mean for the green-fingered amongst us? It’s time to start recycling water wherever you can find it – starting with your leftovers. A well-rotted compost heap will provide moist fertiliser for thirsty plants and grass. Your lawn may become uneven during dry spells, but a flymo lawnmower will be able to work with the changing surface to give you an even finish. Mediterranean plants thrive with just small amounts of water, so 2012 may be the year to give your garden an exotic finish.
Home energy
There are two major factors affecting the cost of running our homes. As the supply of fossil fuels continues to dwindle, gas and electric prices are rising to record highs, year on year. At the same time, climate change is wreaking havoc on the North Atlantic Drift, leading to a series of cold winter snaps in the UK. The unbelievably cold weather in 2010 lead to huge energy bills, leaving many of us wary about how much we use our central heating during the winter.
More and more UK homes are turning to green technology to help offset energy costs and carbon emissions, both of which should help to reduce our country’s impact on the environment. Get ready to see more solar panels, wind turbines and ground source heat pumps in your local area.
Getting around
The AA recently revealed that the price of petrol at pumps had jumped to a new high – a fact that hasn’t gone unnoticed by British motorists. The 10.23p per litre increase for petrol (7.32p for diesel) has added around £21.72 to the monthly cost of a two-car family. Running a car is now costing us more than our weekly shops.
In April, London cyclists joined forces to show the country a better way of getting around, whilst calling on local politicians to make the streets safer for bikes. Ms Jones, the Green candidate for the Mayor of London, told The Times: ‘I am here to celebrate cycling and London has to understand that cycling is the future.
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Weather for Dungannon
Tuesday 21 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North west
