Autumn
As autumn approaches we are increasingly protected from seasonal changes by air conditioning systems. It has revolutionised our working patterns and our awareness of seasonal change. Its use has quadrupled in the UK over the last 20 years.
Laurie Taylor discusses the social impact of this invisible technology with Marsha Ackermann, historian, and author of Cool Comfort: America’s Romance with Air Conditioning and Harold L Wilhite, a Norweigan social anthropologist who has looked at the impact of air conditioning in Japan, India and in Norway.
Friendship
Laurie talks to Professor Ray Pahl, University of Essex and Liz Spencer, co-founder of New Perspectives Research Consultancy, on their work on the role that friendship plays in our lives. They look at the kinds of friendships which fluctuate over a lifetime and at the shape and size of the "social convoy" we carry as a teenagers, and in middle and old age.
BBC survey into single living
Additional information
Marsha Ackermann
Cool Comfort: America’s Romance with Air-Conditioning
Smithsonian Institution Press
ISBN 1 58834 040 6
Hal Wilhite
Centre for Development and the Environment
Box 1116 Blindern
0317 Oslo
Norway
Tel: 47 - 22 85 89 00
Ray Pahl:
Institute for Social and Economic Research
University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park
Colchester CO4 3SQ
Tel: 01206 873700 - website:
Market Transformation Programme
Energy Saving Trust
Established as part of the UK Government's response to the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. This addressed world-wide concerns on environmental issues such as climate change and global warming. Today, the EST is the UK's leading organisation working with a range of partners to deliver energy efficiency to domestic customers.
Enhanced Capital Allowances
Will enable businesses to claim 100 per cent first year capital allowances on investments in energy saving equipment. Businesses will be able to write off the whole cost of their investment against their taxable profits of the period during which they make the investment. These proposals are subject to State Aids clearance and the passage of the 2001 Finance Bill through Parliament. No claims can be made until the legislation has come into force.
Energy Facts and Figures
Website with guidance on a selection of energy efficiency matters. Developed on behalf of the Government as part of the Energy Efficiency Best Practice programme and is aimed at anyone who wants to know more about the way in which using energy affects our environment. It will be particularly useful for energy and environment managers who are looking for ways to raise staff awareness of the issues, but it will also be useful to the general reader who wants to know more about saving energy.
European Union Eco-label
EU Directorate-General Energy and Transport
DETR: Consumer products
DEFRA: Ecolabelling
DEFRA: are you doing your bit?
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