The environmental competition organise by What Car? Magazine announced the top ten greenest cars on the road today.

Followed closely by the Fiat 500, the distinctive box like Volvo boasted the lowest CO2 figure and most comfortable drive.

Claiming the particulate emissions are “too low to measure” What Car? Magazine also highlighted the economical benefits of the family car.

Explaining the impact of the credit crunch on the industry, What Car? editor, Stephen Fowler, said:

“Green issues are still a hot topic, but it’s fair to say that they are not right at the top of car buyers’ priorities at the moment. It’s just as well then, that green cars will save you plenty of cash at the fuel pumps and will likely be worth more than other cars when you come to sell.”

For the second year running, the British-built Mini Cooper won the greenest sports car award.

Having considered many other possibilities, the two journalism students feel they would make the biggest impact by refusing to use as many electrical house hold appliances as they can muster.

World Environment Day from Georgie Campbell on Vimeo.

Researching further into the campaign, Georgie and Kirsty some of the most energy consuming house hold appliances to make a conscious effort attempt to remove them from their daily routines on World Environment Day, June 5.

Morefresh owner, Phillip Meredith, now plays the part of a modern day milkman, bringing locally produced milk, cream, cheese, yoghurt, juices and potatoes to our doorsteps.

Based in Bordesely Green, Morefresh is an eco-friendly threat to the popular chain supermarkets that produce kilos of carbon emissions transporting produce up and down the country.

With over 95% of our fruit and approximately half of our vegetables flown in from abroad, food miles have become a hot topic in most households.

Although many supermarkets claim to stock locally grown produce, the transportation between stores and home deliveries can stock up unnecessary pollutants.

Many locally grown goods are transported to central distribution centres before returning to their designated stores, increasing carbon footprints unnecessarily.

The transportation of food and livestock around the UK accounts for nearly 30% of road use, culminating in an 11% responsibility for the total CO2 emissions from UK food transport.

Greener living Tesco farmer, Sam Nundy, commented:

“Everyone is concerned about food miles now, and we feel regional sourcing is the future. Some local brands will be familiar: Maldon salt, Colman’s mustard, Wilkin & Son Tiptree preserves.

“Plus there are plenty of famous breweries, such as Adnams in Southwold and Batemans, whose XXXB is for those who like their beer good and strong! Of course, it’s the brewing method that forms the beer’s character, but it’s also the East Anglian water that gives it a unique taste.”

However, supermarket distribution is not the only source of carbon emission involved in food shopping.  Driving long distances to and from our nearest supermarket calculates 20% of the UK’s CO2 emissions from food transport.

Supporting local companies, like Morefresh, will reduce the individual trips made to the supermarket within a small community. 

With one van delivering food to ten houses, the carbon emissions will be vastly reduced and provide more advantages for local farmers and other aspects of the community.

Working alongside many other local companies, Morefresh not only reduce food miles but maintain local jobs and keep profits in the area.

Currently a second year student, Aaron still found time to be a voluntary part time exec in the current academic year and is pleased he has been given the chance to continue his campaigns in the 2009/2010 academic year.

Winning with over 150 votes it was clear Aaron was the right person for the job. Talking over some of his success this year Aaron revealed his ongoing  ”banana battle” and troubles tackling the university.

Birmingham City Student’s Union re-elect Ethical and Environmental Officer from Georgie Campbell on Vimeo.

Aaron will continue his work next year, however more help is needed.  As mentioned, the People and Planet society desperately needs more volunteers and committed members.

With many ethical and environmental issues surrounding Birmingham City University and its resources Aaron needs people behind him to see any action.

Get involved.

Talking to BirminghamCity Council Travel Planner for the North, Naomi Coleman, I realised the impact of the campaign amongst chidlren across the region.  Marking the first year that the Council constituencies have worked together Naomi explained the benefits of a regional campaign. Click here to read the full article.

You can listen or subscribe to our podcast from the podcasting page or you can download the audio file directly to your computer.

Click here for the full article.

Christ the King Catholic Primary School played host to the annual walking event as children and parents flocked to Conker Island for a late breakfast.

 Led by Birmingham City Council’s Travel Planners and a series of guide dogs from Guide Dogs for the Blind, the atmosphere was buzzing by the time the last group came in.

School Travel Plan Strategy Co-ordinator, Beccy Marston, commented: “This year has been slightly different with all the schools across the West Midlands joining up to take part in the campaign.

“The guide dogs had a lot of impact and will continue to visit school across the region throughout the week.  The children are really aware of the benefits of the dogs, especially at this [Christ the King Catholic Primary] school as it has a visually impaired unit.”

The involvement of the guide dogs seemed to be a particular hit this year with kids swarming round every dog as it approached the Island.  Public relations officer for the Guide Dogs for the Blind, Chris Dyson, commented:

“This was the perfect opportunity to get involved with schools across the region to show them the benefits of walking and keeping fit.  Guide dogs give freedom and independence to those that can’t see to drive cars and so are reliant on walking.

“Although the children are from a primary school they all seem old enough to understand what the guide dogs are for and how they help. Walking along with them helps us to encourage fitness and confidence and support the environment.

“If a visually impaired Paralympics footballer can live his dream and keep fit there’s no excuse for anyone else.  We need to leave our cars at home and get the children walking together.”

Whilst the children tucked into their breakfast, the parents explained their enthusiasm for the week long campaign, commenting on the overall fitness aspect for them and their children. The majority seemed somewhat surprised at the benefits of walking to and from school every day.

As the campaign continues throughout the week, perhaps the rest of the region need to get involved. Why leave it to our children? Walk to work today, and perhaps tomorrow, see how much it can benefit you.

Kicking off next week, Birmingham City Council’s Road Safety Team will be launching the event at Christ the King Catholic Primary School in Kingstanding on Monday.

 Working with the 1,700 schools, the campaign aims to get children across the region active and motivated.

 David Marr, Transport Director at Government Office for the West Midlands, said:

 ”We want as many children as possible to walk to school.  It’s an activity that not only tackles the issues of childhood obesity and carbon emissions, but it also an excellent way for young children to learn more about road safety.”

Working alongside Guide Dogs for the Blind, Walk to School participants will follow in the footsteps of Beijing Paralympics Games blind footballer Lee Greatbatch at the launch.

 With up to 430,000 children getting involved Birmingham City Council hope the campaign will encourage children to walk to school on a regular basis.

 This year’s event marked a new alliance between council constituencies across the West Midlands.  Previously council’s undertook their own activities and campaigns, whereas this year the teams have co-ordinated one combined event.

 Naomi Coleman, School Travel Planner for the North, commented:

 ”This year we’re working with all the School Travel Plans regionally to create a combined effort across the West Midlands.  The theme, “Walking Together”, encourages it to be a social event to get the children motivated.”

 With the one week campaign dedicated to the promotion of walking it is hoped children will be encouraged to walk the short distance to their local schools.

The location of primary schools throughout Birmingham is surprisingly dense, with most children living less than two kilometres away.  However it has been suggested students are more and more often being located to schools further away from home.

Although the campaign is aimed as primary and secondary schools across the region, there is no reason why university students, city workers or other local residents can’t show their commitment to the campaign by shredding off their carbon footprints and taking to the pavements of Birmingham.

Making the documentary as part of her Television and Interactive Content Masters, Sejal discusses her initial shock at the emission figures in the West Midlands and how she feels the council and unvirsities could do more to promote cycling in the city.

Working alongside Birmingham’s Friends of the Earth and cycling ethusiasts Push Bikes, the documentary looks at the highs and lows of cycling within the congested city of Birmingham.

You can listen or subscribe to our podcast from the podcasting page or you can download the audio file directly to your computer.

 West Midlands Campaign for Better Transport (CFBT), along with Birmingham’s Friends of the Earth, spoke out against Councillor Len Gregory after ha announced the decision to spend £88,500 removing the bus lane.

 Kevin Chapman, Chair of the CFBT, said:

 ”We have been waiting for this decision to be made since 2004.  After the lane was suspended in the summer of 2004 a decision was supposed to be made in six months.  Five years down the line and the wrong one has been made.”

Suggesting the council is less environmentally concerned that it would like local residents to believe, it is thought the removal of the bus lane will increase the number of cars entering the city.

View West Midlands 67 Bus Route in a larger map

The proposed closure of the Tyburn Road bus lane has been contested by many local users, with over 2,000 signing a petition against the suspension.

Mr Chapman went on to explain:

 ”The council is sending out a negative message to everyone. They spent thousands installing the lanes and a few years later they want to take them out.  They are sending out a negative message about Birmingham’s ability to spend transport funding wisely.”

 The removal of the Route 67 bus lane between the beginning of Tyburn Road and the Kingsbury Road junction is predicted to increase congestion in the area due to its proximity to the M6 motorway, said Birmingham’s Friends of the Earth.

 Mr Chapman pointed out the distinct diversion from Conservative Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers’ promise to promote bus lane priority on her election, when she declared a new allegiance to “delivering the improvements to service reliability that we need.”

 The decision, made by the nicknamed Len “Gridlock” Gregory appeared even more unsuitable after a partnership between National Express, West Midlands Travel, Centro and West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority was signed two weeks ago to promote a reliable service to local residents.

 Mr Chapman went on to say:

 ”As far as Birmingham City Council are concerned bus users are second class citizens, despite paying their council tax to the city and living, working and shopping here.

 ”The bus services need to remain reliable to attract people out of their cars and keep the passengers they’ve got.”

 Birmingham’s Friends of the Earth representative, Martin Stride, added:

 ”After dithering for three years, Len Gregory has arrived at a solution which can only be regarded as a backward step.  His decision has left Birmingham at the bus stop.”

Acting as a part of a £250 million plan to combat climate change many have suggested the reward may not be as simple as it sounds.

Focussing on garages throughout the West Midlands it was revealed there were few garages that sold electric cars and even fewer stations that provided faculities to charge the cars.  With many commuters entering the city everyday it would seem the charge stations are a vital if the scheme is going to attract buyers.

View Electric Car Dealerships and Charge Stations in the West Midlands in a larger map

With the Guardian’s Watt an idea poll revealing 58.6% of readers would not follow the incentive to buy an electric car has the government misjudged the correct time to introduce a scheme such as this? 

As purse strings tighten and the last few pennies are shaken from the piggy banks it would suggest few people would be thinking of buying a new car.

Speaking to some local Birmingham residents at the One Stop Shopping Centre in Perry Barr it would appear a new car is the last things on their shopping lists.

Tom Sheldon, 42, from Perry Barr commented:

“There is no way I can afford a car at the moment.  Although the new Aixam car is fairly cheap for an electric car, there’s just no way.  And if I had to fill it up from home, I guess the cost of electricity wouldn’t be that cheap either.”

Danny Frances, 27, from London commented:

“I would only consider it if they were well performing, but the tiny ones they’ve featured on TV do not interest me.  If they bring out a decent model then I might consider it.”

Shal Hayes, 23, from Handsworth Wood commented:

“No, not at all. If I had any money laying around a car still wouldn’t make the list. My car isn’t in great shape, but it will do. How reliable are electric cars anyway? Would they get me out of the city without running out of charge?”

Perhaps the government should work on building the reputation of electric cars, explaining how they work and how far they can drive before offering the incentives.

Although charge stations are being installed up and down the UK, it would seem the scheme has not quite attracted it perhaps hoped to.