Eco-Projects

My inspiration - DEFRA Climate Change Competition

I first got really into eco-awareness thanks to a teacher, Kit Rogers, at my school, Priestlands, in Lymington, Hampshire.  He told us about a national competition that was being held called DEFRA Climate Change Champions and suggested we should enter it.  I love the idea of being eco-friendly so I entered the competition. I did a case study on my parents’ superyacht rigging business, Tim Haynes Limited, to see how “green” the business was and could be. 

I looked at all aspects of the business from the products they use on the job, to where and how they travel and behind the scenes in the THL office.  There have been lots of positive green outcomes from my project including using recycled paper and objects that were previously disposed of.  They are now reused and recycled on site and in the office.  Tea and coffee come from sustainable farms and THL Ltd have planted trees at Priestlands School to help offset their carbon footprint, see The First Project, The Priestlands Orchard.  THL Ltd is also looking into the use of bio-fuel for their cars and vans too!

Click to download a copy of my project and project update

The first project - The Priestlands Orchard

Following my report into THL Ltd’s environmental impact and carbon footprint, I came up with the idea of getting local companies to offset their carbon emissions by planting an orchard at my school, Priestlands. I produced a carbon calculator which enabled local businesses to work out their carbon footprint and nine companies including Lloyds TSB plc, Dennis Knights, & Sebastian Chamberlain our local stockbroker to name a few, all contributed trees to the orchard.

The Tree Planting Ceremony took place on Saturday 9 February 2008 and the orchard is now thriving!

Click to download the Daily Echo feature on the Tree Planting Ceremony

The next step - The Priestlands Solar Scheme

There are only so many trees Priestlands School can accommodate and so the project has changed tack and the school are saving to buy photovoltaic solar panels and smart metering.  The Priestlands eco-team has already raised £10,000 and they would like to raise at least £20,000 to buy the panel they want.  At the moment the Government will give them £1 for every £1 they raise. 

The electricity generated using solar panels does not release carbon dioxide and so is environment friendly.  The solar system’s visible smart meters will be placed so that the students and staff see them daily and the equipment will be incorporated into school projects; in mathematics and science in particular.  Children will not only benefit from the carbon free electricity, but they will learn about using it well.   All this will help climate change in the future.

We have calculated that a £10 investment in the solar scheme will result in a 100 kg CO2 offset value – amazing value!

Please contact daisy@eco-daisy.com or staffkr@priestland.hants.sch.uk to help with the project or for further information.

Click to download more information about Tree Planting and The Solar Scheme at Priestlands School.

Making an impact - Eco-reporting at the Superyacht Cup, Palma