members of parliament to act as role models for green energy

The UK Parliament in Westminster on the north bank of Thames (right)
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The londonpaper today reports that the UK parliament are studying how to run the parliament building by more sustainable energy and reduce its carbon footprint. The following is an extract of the article by Widiane Moussa -

£20m Plan to Cut Emissions
Winds of Change for Westminster

Parliament could be powered by wind turbines & tides in a bid to cut its carbon footprint by almost a third. The Palace of Westminster uses enough electricity to power 6500 households & it would take a forest of more than 2500 trees to soak up the C02 output. Its environmental impact including 2252 tonnes of rubbish has angered MPs who want to improve freen creditials.

A study into the greening of the parliamentary estate commissioned by MPs shows how the buildings could be partly powered by a 35m-high wind turbine on the neighbouring Victoria Gardens & a field of tidal turbines in the Thames, next to the members' terraces. Double glazing could be fitted to draughty windows & officials are even toying with the idea of installing miniature power stations in the cellars, which will take the palace partly "off-grids".

According to the plans, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, the project will cost at least £20 million. "We can't afford to do nothing and tha is exactly what Parliament has done for too long" said Norman Baker, Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes, who has calculated that electricity consumption in the Commons has risen 86% since 1997.

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What has our honourable Legislative Councillors in Hongkong done on their new home in Tamar? Have they really carried out studies on the energy consumption of the existing monumental LegCo building or ask the government to set reduction target for the new LegCo building? If the Thames could have tidal turbines to generate electricity, Tamar could have tubrines in Victoria Harbour to do the same.

It is time we demand these councillors to really work their bit to get their salary review justified.

today's fresh lime -

A video showing the technology of tidal turbines for next generation energy source -
http://video.on.nytimes.com/?fr_story=a16561a2d9322a0e5953813fd7c930aa6fd8e41e