Ecology of London. Environmental problems in Great Britain

Even at the dawn of technological progress, during the heyday of heavy industry, England became one of the dirtiest countries in Europe. Coal mining areas covered with black dust, London smog - this was actually the hallmark of the British Isles.

Only in the 1950s and 60s did the situation begin to change after the adoption of laws banning industrial emissions into the atmosphere. In the 1980s, the green movement gained popularity amid a deep economic and political crisis. Almost all parties included “green” items in their election programs.

However, the environment in the UK is not yet entirely exemplary, and the country itself is still far from being the cleanest country in the European Union. Most Britons show concern about environmental problems, but not everyone is eager to tackle them in practice. Although smoke emissions have fallen by 85 percent since 1960, many believe the government is not doing enough to police violators. They can get away with minor fines, or even bypass the law altogether. There is also not enough pressure on industries to modernize their wastewater treatment plants, on oil companies with rigs in the North Sea, and on agriculture that uses toxic fertilizers and pesticides.

Most power stations in the UK are thermal, i.e. operating on combustible fuel. At one time, the categorical disapproval of the islanders stopped the construction of nuclear power plants. There is still debate about the safety of nuclear power. In the meantime, projects are being developed to use natural resources to generate energy. Climatic conditions are not conducive to the construction of solar power plants, but the University of Liverpool has developed an interesting hybrid - a wind turbine whose blades are covered with solar panels. Unfortunately, in the UK itself the number of sunny days is not enough to fully take advantage of the Heat Waver technology (as the developers called their brainchild), but Australia, Spain, Italy and Morocco have already become interested in it.

The British company Aquamarine Power Ltd has proposed another eco-project for the use of natural resources. She began building a power plant off the coast of Scotland using wave energy. The ebb and flow of tides is a powerful natural force. Why not use it for the benefit of man? In 2018, the world's most powerful wave power station will operate on the coast of the Isle of Lewis, part of the Hebridean archipelago. It will consist of 50 Oyster turbines, which pump water and supply it under pressure to a hydroelectric power station located on the shore. The sea in this region is rough almost all year round, so such a power plant can operate virtually continuously.

And while the UK waits for clean energy from this power plant, the British continue to search for alternatives to combustible fuels that pollute the atmosphere. After all, vehicles running on biofuel, electricity, hydrogen and compressed air, although not so common, will not surprise anyone. However, even their use does not save the atmosphere from carbon dioxide. And now the British research company Air Fuel Synthesis made a sensational announcement - they managed to develop a fuel based on water and carbon dioxide. The experimental installation, designed by the company's engineers, was able to produce 5 liters of fuel suitable for use in an internal combustion engine in a few days. The production process is based on collecting carbon dioxide from the air and subsequent electrolysis. According to a press release from Air Fuel Synthesis, after full-fledged factory production is launched, the fuel output will be about a ton per day, and its cost will be approximately the same as the cost of gasoline. While skeptics doubt it, construction of the plant has already begun.

London authorities are fighting the greenhouse effect in their own way. Work is being carried out in several directions. For example, since 2012, the ClimateCars taxi service, consisting only of electric vehicles, has appeared on the city streets.

The ULTra self-driving electric taxi operates at Heathrow Airport, connecting terminals, runways and huge parking areas. Double-decker double-decker buses, traditional for London, are gradually being replaced by new models that are more environmentally friendly and economical. They consume 40% less fuel than the previous ones and, accordingly, pollute London's air less.

The mayor of the city, Boris Johnson, fully supports projects aimed at improving the environment. He himself switched from a car to a bicycle and plans to turn London into “little Holland”.

On his initiative, about one and a half billion dollars were allocated for the development of cycling infrastructure in London. Construction is underway of special, maximally safe bicycle paths covering the entire city with a network, bicycle parking near almost every building, and even a unique bicycle bridge, 24 km long, which will connect the city center and West London.

Another initiative of the London authorities is cooperation with British Airways. London's rubbish will now be turned into biofuel. Two parallel programs - a project to reduce landfills surrounding London and a project to halve British Airways' carbon dioxide emissions across all operational cycles by 2050 - have now come together. The airline signed an agreement with the mayor's office for garbage collection. Already in 2015, it is planned to launch a plant for processing waste into biofuel. And the London authorities undertake to regularly supply raw materials and even pay extra for their disposal. Everyone will benefit, especially Londoners – they will get a cleaner city and cleaner air.

Thus, the UK’s ecology can already in many ways serve as an example to follow.

Even at the dawn of technological progress, during the heyday of heavy industry, England became one of the dirtiest countries in Europe. Coal mining areas covered with black dust, London smog - this was actually the hallmark of the British Isles.

Only in the 1950s and 60s did the situation begin to change after the adoption of laws banning industrial emissions into the atmosphere. In the 1980s, the green movement gained popularity amid a deep economic and political crisis. Almost all parties included “green” items in their election programs.

However, the environment in the UK is not yet entirely exemplary, and the country itself is still far from being the cleanest country in the European Union. Most Britons show concern about environmental problems, but not everyone is eager to tackle them in practice. Although smoke emissions have fallen by 85 percent since 1960, many believe the government is not doing enough to police violators. They can get away with minor fines, or even bypass the law altogether. There is also not enough pressure on industries to modernize their wastewater treatment plants, on oil companies with rigs in the North Sea, and on agriculture that uses toxic fertilizers and pesticides.

Most power stations in the UK are thermal, i.e. operating on combustible fuel. At one time, the categorical disapproval of the islanders stopped the construction of nuclear power plants. There is still debate about the safety of nuclear power. In the meantime, projects are being developed to use natural resources to generate energy. Climatic conditions are not conducive to the construction of solar power plants, but the University of Liverpool has developed an interesting hybrid - a wind turbine whose blades are covered with solar panels. Unfortunately, in the UK itself the number of sunny days is not enough to fully take advantage of the Heat Waver technology (as the developers called their brainchild), but Australia, Spain, Italy and Morocco have already become interested in it.

The British company Aquamarine Power Ltd has proposed another eco-project for the use of natural resources. She began building a power plant off the coast of Scotland using wave energy. The ebb and flow of tides is a powerful natural force. Why not use it for the benefit of man? In 2018, the world's most powerful wave power station will operate on the coast of the Isle of Lewis, part of the Hebridean archipelago. It will consist of 50 Oyster turbines, which pump water and supply it under pressure to a hydroelectric power station located on the shore. The sea in this region is rough almost all year round, so such a power plant can operate virtually continuously.

And while the UK waits for clean energy from this power plant, the British continue to search for alternatives to combustible fuels that pollute the atmosphere. After all, vehicles running on biofuel, electricity, hydrogen and compressed air, although not so common, will not surprise anyone. However, even their use does not save the atmosphere from carbon dioxide. And now the British research company Air Fuel Synthesis made a sensational announcement - they managed to develop a fuel based on water and carbon dioxide. The experimental installation, designed by the company's engineers, was able to produce 5 liters of fuel suitable for use in an internal combustion engine in a few days. The production process is based on collecting carbon dioxide from the air and subsequent electrolysis. According to a press release from Air Fuel Synthesis, after full-fledged factory production is launched, the fuel output will be about a ton per day, and its cost will be approximately the same as the cost of gasoline. While skeptics doubt it, construction of the plant has already begun.

London authorities are fighting the greenhouse effect in their own way. Work is being carried out in several directions. For example, since 2012, the ClimateCars taxi service, consisting only of electric vehicles, has appeared on the city streets.

The ULTra self-driving electric taxi operates at Heathrow Airport, connecting terminals, runways and huge parking areas. Double-decker double-decker buses, traditional for London, are gradually being replaced by new models that are more environmentally friendly and economical. They consume 40% less fuel than the previous ones and, accordingly, pollute London's air less.

The mayor of the city, Boris Johnson, fully supports projects aimed at improving the environment. He himself switched from a car to a bicycle and plans to turn London into “little Holland”.

On his initiative, about one and a half billion dollars were allocated for the development of cycling infrastructure in London. Construction is underway of special, maximally safe bicycle paths covering the entire city with a network, bicycle parking near almost every building, and even a unique bicycle bridge, 24 km long, which will connect the city center and West London.

Another initiative of the London authorities is cooperation with British Airways. London's rubbish will now be turned into biofuel. Two parallel programs - a project to reduce landfills surrounding London and a project to halve British Airways' carbon dioxide emissions across all operational cycles by 2050 - have now come together. The airline signed an agreement with the mayor's office for garbage collection. Already in 2015, it is planned to launch a plant for processing waste into biofuel. And the London authorities undertake to regularly supply raw materials and even pay extra for their disposal. Everyone will benefit, especially Londoners – they will get a cleaner city and cleaner air.

Thus, the UK’s ecology can already in many ways serve as an example to follow.

Ph.D. E.G. Gacho, Associate Professor MPEI, Doctor of Technical Sciences T.V. Gusev, professor, Russian Chemical Technical University named after. DI. Mendeleev, Moscow

In light of the unbalanced and fragmented energy saving policies in our country, the experience of European countries in developing a holistic organic policy deserves serious attention and analysis. Among European countries, the UK's energy policy stands somewhat apart. For a long time, the English fuel balance was excessive, but recently rising prices and growing energy supply shortages have forced the state to actively engage in energy efficiency. In addition, climate change has become the most important political factor. As part of the project “Climate Strategies for Russian Megacities,” the Moscow delegation had the opportunity to get acquainted with the English experience.

The City of London (which is the historical core of London) has been taking action to mitigate climate change for a long time. The phased strategy for both the City of London and Greater London (the region comprising the City of London and the ceremonial (geographical) county) was developed in stages from 2002-2003. After the release of Nicholas Stern’s fundamental report “The Economics of Climate Change” (the text of the report in Russian can be found on the RosTeplo.ru website - www.rosteplo.ru/Tech_stat/stat_shablon.php?id=953 - approx. ed.), a serious analysis of climate change and its consequences for the country as a whole, draft climate impact reduction strategies and climate change adaptation strategies were prepared.

In 2006, with the support of leading companies, the Greater London Corporation, the Energy Savings Fund and other organizations, the London Climate Change Agency was created, supported by the city's Department of Economic Development. The agency's functions include developing projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the energy efficiency of urban facilities. The range of initiatives includes projects and proposals to reduce energy losses in buildings, networks, sources, and the development of renewable energy sources. Energy efficiency labeling of almost all budget buildings in the city is being actively developed.

Since there is practically no centralized heating supply in London, experts are particularly concerned about the low efficiency of the condensing power units of the stations. The electricity consumption of the London metropolis is comparable to Moscow, and accordingly, in many ways, urban thermal power plants make a significant contribution to the thermal pollution of London. The actual implementation of the energy and resource saving policy in the city is carried out by the energy service corporation, 81% of the shares of which belong to the carbon fund, and 19% to the London Climate Change Agency. The regulatory framework is being actively developed and implemented. At the end of 2008, the Parliament adopted a framework Law (Bill) on climate change.

But the lack of a regulatory framework does not lead to insufficient action: various innovative energy supply projects are already being actively implemented in the British capital, in particular, fuel cell projects (in stadiums, in parks) - about 200 kW. The ongoing demonstration projects are designed to convincingly demonstrate the effectiveness of energy saving for both end consumers and businesses. If currently 1 pound of budget funds accounts for up to 5 pounds of investment, then in the future it is planned to launch business process mechanisms to bring this ratio to 1:20.

An interesting meeting took place at the office of the Association of British Insurers, which includes about 95% of the country's insurance companies. It is already clear: the climate impact will be comprehensive, the growing size of the risks dictates the need for adaptation. Businesses and insurance companies are seriously concerned about the growing frequency and increasing damage from the consequences of climate anomalies.

In this regard, it is extremely important to provide appropriate measures both in new projects and when insuring them against possible growing risks. Legislative norms are also laid down for this purpose. It is clear that business alone cannot cope with this most important task; cooperation with government agencies is needed. A well-thought-out risk management strategy will optimize insurance payments.

According to experts from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), there are about 25 million people in the Thames region. (215 thousand properties, with a total value of over £160 billion) are at risk of flooding. Security systems are aging and risks are increasing. Additional unfavorable factors are the lack of drinking water and thermal pollution of the metropolis.

The strategy for working under conditions of uncertainty includes a step-by-step assessment of risk and the selection of adequate means of reducing it - step by step, as new data is obtained. The Environment Agency, established under the Environment Act (1995), works closely with the Government and local authorities to protect people from flooding, promote projects in industry, business, farmers, protected areas territories. Over 400 projects are carried out by the Agency annually, control functions are effectively carried out, and both state powers and public opportunities are used.

With a trip to the wonderful city of Oxford, the program was divided into two parts of equal duration. Ecosecurity is a research center in Oxford that, as its name suggests, deals with environmental safety issues and provides relevant consulting services in 34 countries. Currently, the center is leading about 500 projects in the field of flexibility mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol. These are, first of all, the so-called cleaner development projects, which provide for the implementation of solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries and the transfer of emissions quotas to the investor’s country. It is clear that increasing energy efficiency is one of the most cost-effective and quickly implemented reserves for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, therefore over 70% of projects are related to the industrial sector, which has a vested interest in increasing energy efficiency.

The ancient university town greeted us with sunny weather and a real golden autumn, professors and students hurried to lectures on bicycles, and library shelves and Macintosh computers on tables were visible in the windows of 17th-century buildings. The warm reception of the Russian delegation was organized by the head of the Institute for Environmental Change at Oxford University, Professor Diana Liverman. The Institute for Environmental Change was established in 1991 as an interdisciplinary unit at the University of Oxford to undertake comprehensive analysis of environmental change and develop appropriate public policy, private and social initiatives.

Research and teaching at the Institute are characterized by a focus on global and regional environmental change and projects that integrate natural and social sciences towards the development of awareness, public influence and adequate decision-making on the environment. The Institute is organized around three main themes of analysis - climate, energy and ecosystems, in close collaboration with the Faculty of Geography and the Environment. The reception was attended by specialists from various fields, including from Russia.

In particular, the report was made by the head of the climate impact program, Chris West. According to him, to develop a successful adaptation strategy, it is necessary to take three important steps - assess what happened in the past (costs, damage), remember, record the current state of things, and outline a plan for joint actions. Climate change is more often felt by people who are closer to the ground - farmers, field workers, builders, and decisions are made by other people and it is extremely important to establish communication between them, to develop a language of communication and interaction between authorities, science, and society in this matter. And this atmosphere was truly felt in the academic and at the same time democratic environment of the oldest European University.

The next day in London, a visit was made to the Department of Energy and Climate Change, created by the British government in October 2007. Its functions include the preparation of energy efficiency programs, a plan for the introduction of renewable energy sources (up to 15% by 2020), the development of appropriate regulatory mechanisms, legal instruments to ensure energy savings. The Department, together with the Department of Environment, Food and Regional Affairs (DEFRA), considers the involvement of the population in climate issues to be its most important task.

Experts consider such tools to be the CO2 calculator (Figure 2), posted on the Ministry’s website, and individual energy efficiency devices that anyone can install in their home. The wholesale price of such devices is low - about 15 pounds sterling (660 rubles). The display of such a device, connected to a regular home meter, visualizes the efficiency of home energy consumption. In addition, environmental brands are promoted on television, on the Internet, and in transport. A young, energetic team of energy-ecologists also showed us a funny video “Frugal Dad” - about how ordinary families can reduce their growing energy bills. This is now becoming a major concern for consumers.

The government is meeting the people, not the monopolies: a program of long-term assistance to households has been announced, which helps save up to £300 a year through energy efficiency measures, etc. It is planned to equip all buildings with water and energy meters (currently this share is small - no more 20%). It is planned to introduce buildings with zero energy consumption from 2016 (buildings consume “green” energy, the air conditioning system runs for a minimum amount of time, etc.), and from 2019 - with zero greenhouse gas emissions (primarily CO 2). Existing buildings undergo the necessary certification, receive a passport and energy efficiency labeling.

“We are not well prepared for extreme weather changes,” Alex Nixon, head of the City Hall’s Climate Adaptation and Water Programme, began the meeting at the Greater London Corporation with such a sincere statement. While London is responsible for 8% of the UK's total emissions, this figure is forecast to rise to 15% by 2025.

Climate change in London is already visible and includes wetter winters, drier summers, and heat islands (areas of dense housing characterized by higher temperatures) in the city. The priority problems, according to city leaders, are winter floods, summer overheating and limited access to water resources. The problem of water supply is extremely pressing for London; water availability in the Thames region is low. In addition, up to 23% of water (609 million l/day) is lost in the city’s distribution networks, and the frequency of accidents is increasing. The city plans to equip all buildings with water meters (including at the expense of the budget and water supply organizations).

An “all-London” greening program has been prepared, over 99% of new construction takes place on so-called “brown” sites, i.e. during reconstruction, and not on clean land. New buildings must include “green” or cold roofs (without heat sink) and use renewable energy. By the way, the roof of the glass building of the Greater London Corporation on the banks of the Thames is equipped with solar panels (photo 3).

The city has come up with a strategy to use "waste heat", creating publicly accessible cool buildings where people can come on dry days: London's unusual summer heat is adding about 2,000 extra deaths a year, according to health authorities.

As we know, London has made significant progress in the transition from private car transport to public transport, cars with hybrid engines (there are 80 electric filling stations in the city) and bicycles. Indeed, there are few traffic jams in London and it is somewhat easier to breathe than in Moscow. It may also be because no one thinks of building up Hyde Park and other green areas of the capital of Great Britain.

It is important to raise the level of public awareness of these problems, and this can only be done in cooperation with all interested organizations. Small and medium-sized businesses are actively involved - after all, adapting and preparing people for changes is also a new promising market for them. The government has created several working groups by sector, the chairmen of which are nominated by the private sector. 9 regions of the country are equal partners in the climate change program: whoever prepares first will survive - this is the main slogan of adaptation.

The last meeting took place with specialists from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). For the first time, CDP's information requests have encouraged thousands of corporations on all continents to engage in climate change issues. The collected data from 1,500 companies from all continents provides investors with insight into the strategies of major corporations, the risks and new opportunities presented by climate change.

In total, over $115 billion was invested in new technologies in 2007, and demand for new products (environmentally friendly vehicles) is growing. It is obvious that those who prepare, understand the legislation, invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy sources will benefit in the near future. The same work is being done with the public sector in terms of increasing the efficiency of public procurement and the use of budget funds.

Cities also take part in the Project: occupying about 1% of the territory, urban agglomerations consume up to 80% of energy. Associated effects include overheating of cities and, accordingly, excessive energy consumption for air conditioning. Sharp and unexpected climate changes are especially relevant for coastal cities. It is interesting that about 800 US cities took part in the climate change program, despite the country's Government's refusal to join the Kyoto Protocol.

Some conclusions from a short analysis of the measures and actions of cities in England

1. City authorities, the business community, and public organizations unite to develop common adaptation measures, among which energy efficiency is key. The words “sustainable development” are unambiguously and demandingly joined by a new concept - adaptation, adaptation of the city’s economy, energy, and social services to the observed and future changes, the most important of which are climate change.

2. In the UK, the tragic consequences of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 made a strong impression on all levels of government and on business (especially insurance and related businesses). Even greater than our accident in Chagino on May 25, 2005. Therefore, working contacts have been established to develop a common policy, actively involve the public and specialists, aimed at predicting possible situations, making joint decisions and their implementation.

3. An important result of what we saw was that it is fundamentally important to create and develop a language of communication, understanding between business, authorities, scientists for dialogue, a language of communication with the public to prepare for changes and possible growing risks. It is important that it includes both scientific criteria and parameters, as well as models for explaining climate problems and changes that are understandable to a wide audience. Access to information on how such problems are solved in the UK is provided by the international project “Climate Strategies for Russian Megacities” (

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London and Paris introduce new vehicle emissions monitoring system

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Immediately after new US President Donald Trump ordered the return of smog-causing coal power, mayors decided to focus their efforts on reducing the volume in their cities.

A bus stop with solar panels can power an entire house.

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Pigeons tweet about London's air pollution

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Stunning park in London on the site of a former gas storage facility

Details Created on 01/12/2016 01:34 Written by Natali

A landmark industrial site has been transformed into a magnificent new public building. Bell Phillips Architects recently completed its latest project: a circular parkland within the frame of a historic gas storage facility.

Biofuel from coffee grounds could help power London

Details Created on 09.10.2015 17:29 Written by Natali

A morning cup of invigorating drink can be more than just a pleasant drink. London-based company Bio-bean hopes to turn the remainder into biodiesel for vehicles and biomass pellets for heating buildings.

A London Underground train powers power plants by generating energy when braking

Details Created on 01.10.2015 03:32 Written by Natali

A world-first test in which the latest technology allowed a train to collect while braking showed that the electricity collected was enough to power a large metro station - paving the way for significant savings across the entire metro network.

Underground farms in abandoned London tunnels

Details Created on 07/08/2015 15:54 Written by Natali

the site has already talked about a couple of entrepreneurs from the west of England who organized a project that involves transforming about 2.5 acres (about 1 hectare) of tunnels into an underground

The fog that descended on London on December 5, 1952 had truly fatal consequences and claimed the lives of 12,000 people.

In 1952, winter came quite early in Britain. In November, severe frosts with heavy snowfalls had already begun, and in December, winter weather finally engulfed the territory of the kingdom.
Plus, the air in London was actively polluted by the smoke from the chimneys of factories and factories, as the country was actively rebuilding its destroyed industry after the World War.

Numerous cars and public transport contributed to environmental pollution: at this time in London, trams were replaced by diesel buses.

Severe frosts forced power plants, the main fuel for which was coal, to work at full capacity. But besides this, there were hundreds of thousands, if not millions of fireplaces in London, also heated by coal. In the December days of 1952, the residents of London, in order to somehow warm themselves, did not spare coal, not knowing what this would soon turn into.

Coal mining was on the territory of England, but the post-war crisis forced the country to export high-quality coal, leaving for its needs cheaper coal with sulfur impurities, the use of which led to the formation of particularly acrid and harmful smoke.

And so on December 4, 1952, London fell into the zone of action of an anticyclone, which led to the so-called temperature inversion: the stagnant cold air was “covered” by warm air. As a result, a cold fog descended on the capital of England, which had no way to dissipate. And inside this fog accumulated exhaust gases that had no outlet, factory emissions, and soot particles from hundreds of thousands of fireplaces.

Of course, Londoners were not afraid of the fog, but they had never seen such a strange phenomenon. The fog, due to the accumulation of harmful substances, had a yellow-black color, for which it received the name “pea soup”.
Due to the absolute calm of wind, fog, or, more precisely, smog, hung over the British capital from December 5 to 9, 1952. Every day, due to the fact that the concentration of harmful impurities in the air increased, the situation rapidly worsened.

Visibility was so low that public transport had to be stopped, with the exception of the metro. The most desperate bus drivers tried to remember the dawn of motorism by sending a person with a flashlight in front of the bus, but this did not save the situation. People could not even see their feet, and reports of suffocated animals came from the city outskirts more and more often. Even the ambulance service was stopped: there was simply no way to pick up patients.

We must pay tribute to the Londoners who endured the ordeal that befell them with purely English calm, even despite the fact that in the city these days funeral service workers were literally overwhelmed by the number of orders, and natural queues of funeral processions formed in London cemeteries.

But when the smoke cleared, literally and figuratively, the question arose: what was it all about? The investigation into the Great London Smog reached the parliamentary level, where terrifying figures were announced. According to the Ministry of Health, about 4,000 people became victims of the smog. The main cause of death is respiratory problems. Even adults and healthy people complained about the lack of air, and for the elderly, chronically ill and infants, the Great Smog became fatal.

According to experts, the main source of evil was the poisonous sulfur dioxide gas coming out of London's chimneys. Further research showed that various respiratory diseases associated with the effects of the Great Smog of 1952 were found in 100,000 people. During the first months after it, the total number of victims increased to 12,000 people.

The Great London Smog of 1952 became a clear demonstration for the whole world of the dangers of environmental pollution. In the UK, measures have been taken to tighten legislation in order to prevent a recurrence of an environmental disaster of such proportions.

Good old Britain, unthinkable without fireplaces like the one where Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson spent their evenings, was forced to change in order to survive.