Going green on the 'net (From Gazette & Herald)

Going green on the 'net

SITTING in front of a computer screen may not seem like the most environmentally friendly thing you can do, but the worldwide web has lots of hints, tips and information on environmental issues. This week we feature a few of the best sites for advice on green living.

Environment Agency:http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk Rating: 4/5

This is the website of the Government's Environment Agency. You can find large amounts of data, collected from all over the UK, on subjects ranging from factory emissions to water quality. You can also find out about some of the projects run and supported by the agency, such as compost awareness week and BeachBeat. Other features include environmental news publications, information on science research and interactive games and animations for children.

British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV):http://www.btcv.org Rating: 4.5/5

BTCV is a national charity which runs volunteer groups to allow people to bring about environmental change. Its site has information on a wide range of volunteering opportunities from conservation holidays to projects like the green gym where people can get fit by helping out on projects on a weekly or twice-weekly basis. The charity's conservation handbooks cover subjects such as fencing, laying hedges and planting trees.

www.recycle-more.co.uk :http://www.recycle-more.co.uk Rating: 4/5

This site is dedicated to promoting the recycling of anything and everything from envelopes to computers. You will find tips on recycling your waste at home, buying recycled goods, and understanding product labelling. A useful feature is the bank finder, where you can enter your postcode and find your nearest recycling bank. The site also has a selection of frequently-asked questions and special sections for schools and businesses.

Energy Efficiency:http://www.saveenergy.co.uk Rating: 4/5

This is a very interactive site that will show you how you can save energy and money in your home. The site allows you to take a virtual tour around a house, looking at where energy can be saved, and there are lots of tips on saving energy in all areas, from lighting to electrical appliances. You can also search the grants database to find out if you can qualify for a grant towards energy-saving improvements to your home. An additional feature is the savings calculator, which allows you to enter your house type and receive information on how much money in energy bills you could save each year by undertaking improvements on your home.

Just for fun:http://www.slidingpuzzle.com/puzzle.php

This site allows you to create and solve sliding picture puzzles. You can use the pictures provided on the site or you can upload your own pictures to create your own puzzles. Your number of moves and time taken are recorded and you can alter the skill level by changing the number of tiles. You can also e-mail a sliding puzzle to your friends.

Do you have your own favourite site, or is there a particular subject area you think should be covered? E-mail me at lucy.barrow@ycp.co.uk, and I will try and include it in a future column.

Updated: 12:27 Wednesday, July 16, 2003