We all know that saving our energy is vital. 

For some of us it has even become a lifestyle.  We turn off the lights when we leave a room, never would we leave the tap on while we are brushing our teeth, and we are switching of our appliances while not in use; since leaving them on stand by is just not an option any more. This has not always been obvious for all of us, for some, it became a necessity to change the way they live because of the horrendous and dreaded energy bill; which seems to be an unpleasant surprise every time. The average UK household spend 1300 GBP a year on their energy bill.

The question has always been on how much we can save on next months bill. How about investing in our future? So we can save money and the environment. 

The majority of the UK’s electricity comes from burning fossil fuels (e.g. coal, oil and gas), which creates carbon dioxide, this is a major contributor to climate change. Over 40% of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions, comes from the energy we use in our every day electricity usage. 

Climate change is due to pollution. Excessive amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is a form of pollution, this is creating a “blanket” that surounds the earth and captures the heat. This is what we call global warming. The natural green house effect normally keeps our average temperature at 15°C, the “blanket” is causing this temperature to rise. 

This is effecting our environment in a way where global warming has created longer heat waves in some areas, and in others the cause has been heavier rainfalls which has resulted in flooding. Vulnerable species such as coral reefs and polar animals have been largely effected because of the warmer waters and rising of the sea level. 

It is time to start looking into other, more sustainable and environmentally friendly options for us to heat, and light up our houses. A better solution is to generate our own energy from reusable sources. There are some options that have been around, tried and tested while others are new developments. 

Solar panels that convert sunlight into electricity have been around for over a 100 years. The small cells that do this consist of one or two layers of a semi conducting material, usually silicon, When light shines on the cell it creates an electric field across the layers causing electricity to flow. The greater the intensity of the light, the greater the flow of electricity. 

Around about the same time the multi-blade windmill were used to generate electricity. Wind turbines use the wind’s lift forces to rotate aerodynamic blades that turn a rotor which creates electricity. 

One of the latest developments is the tidal turbine. Much like a wind turbine, a tidal turbine will be installed in an area of increased tidal flow on the sea floor in order to capture the maximum amount of tidal energy during the rise and fall of the tide. Maine Maritime Academy in Castine (Maine, United States), has obtained a permit to install a turbine device sometime in the next three years from the United States Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC), with an option to renew the permit once the tidal energy turbines are online. If the academy is successful in their latest initiative, we may soon be adding tidal energy to the growing list of viable alternative energy sources.

These are cheaper and greener alternatives for your home and our future. Developing these in a commercially viable way will take a large commitment for government and the tax payer today but a sure to lead us to a happier future for you, your family and the environment.

By: Alexandra Tregre

According to new research, there has been a new development in how the human brain is working with regards to the internet. Studies show that with the emergence of continual internet use among the youth of today there has been an improvement in the ability to make quick decisions and filter large amounts of information. However, there is an obvious cost of subtle skills that one cannot acquire from the internet such as interpretation of facial expressions.

Although many argue the internet is taking away from general skills such as reading, it was concluded that brains were much more active when carrying out internet searches in comparison. According to a researcher at UCLA, Gary Small, “Young people are growing up immersed in this technology and their brains are more malleable, more plastic and changing than older brains.”

There is even speculation that this immersion of technology into everyday life and events could lead to a long-term evolutionary change. Such a change could even produce a new generation of thinking. According to Darwin and his theory of beings adapting to their new environments, those with a greater handle on technology may have a higher survival advantage in the economic world. Small adds that these people are “more likely to take risks and be reckless,” ultimately giving them the upper hand.

The laboratory tests that were conducted found that people who spend a lot of time playing computer games did significantly better on attention and concentration tests contrary to popular belief. Small indicates that browsing websites stimulates the frontal, temporal and cingulated areas of the brain. However, it should be noted that such stimulation may be achieved through other situations.

By Margaret Kearns and Roisin Brady

Murder is the leading cause of death among young people in Glasgow neighbourhoods, a new report has suggested.

Easterhouse, Calton and Castlemilk, emerged as the communities where the most common cause of death in 15 to 19 year olds and young adults in their twenties was death by stabbing or other violent crime.

Murder rates in these Glaswegian neighbourhoods are four times higher than the UK average, with suicide and traffic incidents being the leading cause of death among young people in other parts of Britain. These barely register in the Scottish statistics, with drug-related deaths being the second highest killer of Glaswegian youngsters.

The report, published by Sheffield and Bristol Universities, highlighted the leading causes of death among British young people over the last twenty years. These alarming statistics echo the recent knife-crime and gangland epidemic that has plagued the UK. Fifty one percent of Glasgow teens consider themselves part of a gang, with the city hosting six times more gangs, per capita, than London.

At the recent Glasgow East by election, David Cameron said of social breakdown:

“The thread that links it all together passes, yes, through family breakdown, welfare dependency, debt, drugs, poverty, poor policing, inadequate housing, and failing schools, but it is a thread that goes deeper, as we see a society that is in danger of losing its sense of personal responsibility, social responsibility, common decency and, yes, even public morality.”

Police are attempting to tackle the root causes of these problems by addressing various social disadvantages, such as one in nine Glasgow residents living in comdemned homes, and one in five finding themselves unemployed.

Ross Deuchar of Strathclyde University has been researching gang mentality amongst Glasgow youths. “I am talking with a lot of gang members and their lifestyle is something they really enjoy talking about…a lot of these youngsters come from dysfunctional backgrounds. They have never really been listened to or had role models someone coming along and listening to their views could be a very effective tool”

Measures have been implemented by police to encourage gangs to take an active role in solving the crime problems within Glasgow. As recently as last week police met with over 200 gang members in the city at a summit to discuss the problems arising. The event was on a voluntary basis and follows U.S. models which have proved effective across the Atlantic especially in high crime areas such as Boston and Chicago. The aim of this collective forum was to debate alternative lifestyles for gang members and disadvantaged youths as well as delivering the message that there will be a zero tolerance on violent crime from Glasgow Police. Representatives of the Social Services also attended the event to offer support to those suffering from substance abuse problems.

By: Dustin L. Gee

Action packed adventure, gun fire galore, and an Aston Martin driven at top speeds gives one just a glimpse of what the new James Bond film,  “Quantum of Solace” will showcase on Friday, October 31, 2008 at cinemas across the globe.

For viewers, the film is anticipated to be the best way to spend Halloween, and box offices across the United Kingdom are fully prepared for the crowds.  It’s possibly the most anticipated film for Autumn 2008.

Directed by Marc Forster, the film is said to ditch dialogue and strip away explosive scenes to send bond on a rampage across the globe in order to avenge the death of his true love, Vesper Lynd.

More so, “Quantum of Solace” attempts to get to grips with the psychology of Bond’s character. The film inevitably explores how feelings of anger and grief manifest themselves in a guy who has suppressed his emotions, but hasn’t yet managed to block them out all together.

Movie critics throughout the United Kingdom have expressed mixed reviews about the film and say that because “Quantum of Solace” is a direct sequel to “Casino Royale” the film has a tough act to fall and don’t know if it will compare.

According to The Scotsman, “Quantum of Solace, with its admirably brief running time, non-stop action and elliptical plotting, sometimes plays like an extended trailer for a much bigger, yet-to-be written film.”

The film itself is estimated to cost around 200 million and many fear new cast members will lack energy that has been portrayed in previous Bond films.

It’s a film that tailors to a specific type of interest and you’ll have to decide for yourself whether or not it hits your 2008 top movie list.

Overall, time is drawling near and the release of this film will premier with a bang.
Let’s just hope the bang is good, not a disaster.

By: Alexandra Tregre

As an international student entering Edinburgh, Scotland I was immediately immersed into a new culture of language and diversity. Although I was aware of the preconceptions that non-Scottish speakers had about the local accent, I was surprised to hear that it was more of a tangent of the English language I know as an American. After encountering a plethora of other languages and accents while living in the international student accommodations, I began to wonder how it is that we acquire different accents…

Throughout the many conversations I’ve had with international and local students there has been a large amount of deciphering on my part due to the various accents that come with each different language students’ may speak. Upon further exploration I believe an accent to be a harmony of grammar and pronunciation, both of which are necessary to develop an accent or a language in general. To gain more insight upon the matter I contacted a linguistics enthusiast and expert by the name of Alan Perlman.

Alan expounded upon the subject by explaining that when people in the English speaking world travel or live in a different locality they can actually adapt the same accent “unconsciously.” He continues to explain this by confirming my previous explorations that “a dialect has distinctive pronunciations, words, rhythms
and intonation patterns,” all of which create a particular accent. Although this explains how one can adopt an accent, there are other ways in which this task can be accomplished.

Dr. Perlman further embellishes upon his statements adding that accents are just as typically acquired by learning them through books or tutorials.  He states, “actors do it all the time; they have access to instruction,” indicating the flexibility acquiring an accent may have. Dr. Perlman suggests that to fully acquire an accent or language would require one to both study the language and to have an environment in which to practice which could be either the particular country, or a classroom filled with other studious linguists. After hearing myself use a bit of the British accent already, I realize with a little practice and studying I could be heading back to the States with an accent of my own…Cheers!

By Oliver Graham-Yooll

European markets slide after opening this morning hitting a five-year low as investors are slow to invest due to the economic slowdown, as fears grow over the Asian market.

The UK’s FTSE 100 opened this morning at 3800 and dropped 5.8% within the first few minutes of trading. A similar situation could be seen with the other main European banks with the CAC 40, Paris and the Dax, Frankfurt both falling 5%.

The decline was a result of the Asian markets, especially the Japanese Nikkei closing on a 23 year low.

This follows a weekend of reports of the pound falling to $1.5341 against the dollar and the Euro falling to $1.2377.

This blow to the European markets has upset the assumed stability that governments had hoped to achieve after last weeks turmoil and public investment.

“There’s lots of volatility, not just in the equity market, but in the interest rate and currency markets too,” said Neil Parker, market strategist at Royal Bank of Scotland.

The Japanese market closed trading last night at its lowest point since 1982. This comes despite the Yen trading at a 13 year high against the Dollar. With threats of the G7 intervening as the high trading value threatening global currencies, as foreign currency floods into the Japanese market.

Across Asia markets dropped up to 12% with the Philipines seconding biggest bank, Banco de Oro, reporting a loss of1.3bn Pesos (£12.3m) following the collapse of Lehman Brothers in America.

Oil prices have also toppled hitting a 17 month low with US crude oil prices falling from over $100 a barrel to $62 based on latest figures.

“There is more pain left. The global turmoil does not appear to be resolving soon,” said Atul Mehra at the brokerage J M Financial in Mumbai.

By Otis Shaw

Tom Leppard, 73 years old, known in the tattoo community as the Leopard Man, has left his hillside dwellings, in the Isle of Skye, for a home with electricity and running water.

The leopard Man has lived on the shoreline near Kyleakin for nearly 20 years. His entire body is covered in leopard spots and his teeth filed into feline points. Tourists flock to the island to see Mr. Leppard prowling around the hills in nothing more than a loin cloth.

Local residents have no objections to the former Special Forces soldier joining them for a pint in the pub. Tourism has doubled on the island since The Leopard Man became the most talked about and the most tattooed man in the world. A title only recently contested by Lucky Diamond Rich of Melbourne, Australia.

Renowned for his famed appearances at Tattoo conventions around the world, Tom Leppard, has become a media eccentric. Images of The leopard Man running through fields of heather and lapping from mountain springs shocked the nation years ago. With little need for clothes or social airs and graces, Tom Leppard preferred to hang from a cage during public appearances, tearing at lumps of raw meat. His natural habitat consists of traditional stone dwellings, a gas stove and a humble bed made of polystyrene.

The hermits remote dwellings will be dismantled this week. Council workers have estimated the job should take no longer than a couple of hours. Tom Leppard’s worldly possessions managed to fit in a bin liner. The change in lifestyle was always on the cards. The 73 year old has in recent years struggled with the 3 mile canoe ride in order to stock up on weekly groceries, “I’m getting too old for that kind of life”.

His views on returning to a more civilised approach to life, “I’ve never had a TV or radio and I’m not going to start now – it’s all rubbish anyway. A newspaper was my only reading material in the bothy and I’ll stick with that”

Tom Leppard has 99% of his body decorated with leopard spots. The only remaining skin without ink is behind his ears and between his toes. The cost of such an extreme make-over is estimated at around £7,000. Scottish Power have estimated he has probably made that money back living in a cave without electricity.

By Oliver Graham-Yooll and Kathleen Oliver

Rescue services save passengers stuck in floodwaters as severe weather ravages Scotland causing damage across the country.

A clean up operation has begun after torrential rain and winds of 77mph causing damage to roads and homes. Rescue services were placed under increased pressure as floods trapped passengers in cars on roads in Ayrshire and Lanarkshire.

A child and seven adults were saved from floodwaters in Ayrshire where 30 cars were stranded resulting in one elderly man having to be hospitalised.

In a similar incident a disabled man and women were saved by fire services after being trapped in floods in Caldercruix, Lanarkshire.

A spokesman from Tayside fire services, said “Two incidents caused by the weather over the weekend had caused major debris on roads and damage to chimneys and roofs. These incidents were all dealt with as swiftly as possible.”

The Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary issued a weather warning on Saturday, to motorists concerning the danger of standing water as “extremely hazardous”. High winds also caused injuries as falling masonry injured one man on Aberdeen’s Guild Street, Grampian fire and rescue service said.

Many homes suffered leaks and damage to roof tiling due to the intense weather conditions. And many roads remain blocked today as fallen trees have interrupted movement on many rural roads.

Large vehicles were stopped crossing the Tay and Forth Bridges, as ferocious winds threatened to topple them.

Forecasters threaten that the weather is set to turn into sleet and snow over the coming days.

Matthew Dobson, of Meteogroup, said: “From Sunday there will be much colder weather coming along.”

“There will be a complete change in fortunes, with the potential for sleet and snow showers across Scotland from Monday onwards, especially in the north.”

By Kathleen Oliver

UNISON, Scotland’s largest council union are still at the negotiating table after a cancelled strike on 6th October. They have recommended their members do not accept the latest pay offer made by Scotland’s councils.

Across Scotland, in the last two months, there have been two one day strikes by nearly 150,000 members of the three unions involved in the campaign for higher annual pay rates. The strikes have caused major disruptions for many different council sectors.

Government employers recently increased their first offer of a 2.5% annual increase to 3 %. This proposal has angered many Unison members and Unison negotiators. This is mainly due to the fact that because of the global economic crisis inflation is high at the moment.

Unison’s lead negotiator and Regional Officer Dougie Black said “The recent increases in inflation – especially in basic necessities like food and fuel – impact particularly hard on low-paid members, and a 3% increase does not deliver the kind of help they need.”

The impact of these strikes on local communities is ubiquitous but schools have been particularly affected. Many primary and secondary schools closed completely in late August disrupting learning for the pupils. Some schools stayed open while some of its workers were out on strike, and this meant that fellow workers who weren’t on strike were forced to cover for those who were.

Bankton Primary School in Livingston, West Lothian was one such school that did not close. However, some of its employees did go on strike.

Rhona Morrell, a nursery nurse at Bankton Primary, and member of Unison agrees with her union’s recommendation to reject the most recent pay offer. She said: “It is below the rate of inflation at the moment so would not make a difference, it is like a pay cut.”

The unions supporting the strikes appear to feel that council workers are not appreciated and this is reflected in their low wages. Rhona Morrell agrees with this assertion.

She said: “Council workers feel undervalued, especially nursery staff, and that is not just in West Lothian.” She felt that instead of putting in extra unpaid hours, people should work to their contract and everybody should now only do what they are paid to.

Christine Walker who is also a nursery nurse at Bankton Primary, and a ‘Wrap-around’ children’s leader is a member of Unison. However, she did not go on strike and feels that one day action’s are not going to make that much difference.

She said: “I would have (striked) but in this instance I didn’t because I am working two jobs just now and was very busy and felt that I was better doing those things.”

Although, school workers are sometimes advised to join a union when they start work, not everybody decides to. One such worker, who did not want to be named said she felt that “unions did not help her personally in the past” so she saw no point in joining a union like Unison.

Nevertheless some union members feel that being a part of Unison protects their rights as employees as well as offering advice. Christine Walker said: The council don’t protect you if a child makes a claim against you but Unison does.”

Despite the different opinions regarding the worthiness of being a part of a union, the general consensus among council workers is that they are undervalued. Negotiation talks are ongoing.

By: Roisin Brady

A 21-year-old woman was raped in the early hours of Saturday morning in Glasgow City Centre.

The woman, who had left friends to withdraw cash out of a bank machine on Argyle Street, was grabbed by her attacker and pulled into a nearby lane. Her attacker is described as being of Asian appearance, mid-to-late 20s, and approximately 5 ft 10 to 6 ft tall. He was said to have short black hair and was wearing black clothes when the incident took place.

Police are appealing for a witness who interrupted the attack, which took place near Wellington Street at approximately 2am. The passer-by is described as being a white, bald man with glasses, and police are keen to question him about any information he may have.

The attack took place after the new Rape Crisis Scotland campaign was launched last week, which aims to tackle Scotland’s poor conviction rate in rape cases, as well as challenge attitudes that may place blame on women who are victims of sexual assaults. The advertisements feature women in various scenarios, such as drinking alcohol and wearing revealing clothing, with the slogan ‘This is not an invitation to rape me’.

If you have any information concerning this assault, please contact Strathclyde Police on 0800 555 111 . For more information on the campaign, visit www.thisisnotaninvitationtorapeme.co.uk

One of the photographs featured in the new Rape Crisis Scotland campaign

By: Dustin L. Gee

The Scottish Government plans to reform, simplify, and prioritize the Scottish Education System for students in three to 18 by developing “A Curriculum for Excellence.”

According to “Learning and Teaching Scotland,” the purpose of the programme is to improve the learning, attainment and achievement of children and young people in Scotland.

What’s more, it is also about ensuring that pupils achieve on a broad front, not just in terms of examinations.

Of course once this programme has been instated across Scotland, many separate subjects could be ditched in the first-three years of secondary.

Consultation on the format of future school qualifications ends on Friday, and groups including: parents, teachers, council representatives, have been voicing their concerns and views.

Parents fear the move could leave pupils struggling to choose what to study for on exams.

However, many others believe that “Curriculum for Excellence” is the ultimate option for taking Scottish education to the next level.

Since its inception, the “Curriculum for Excellence” has been geared toward enabling all children and young people to become successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens, and effective contributors to society and at work.

More so, the new curriculum format intends to help students develop these four capacities and provide the appropriate structure and support needed for learning in a productive, educational environment.

Learning and Teaching Scotland’s also reports: “The intention is to alter the balance between a process that is heavily dependent on content, and learning and teaching approaches that improve pupils’ understanding of what is being taught. This is not a one-off change but the start of a continuous process of review to ensure that the curriculum remains up to date.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman told The Scotsman: “Curriculum for Excellence is a coherent, more flexible and enriched curriculum from three to 18, focused on the needs of children and young people.”

As of now, the consultation on national qualifications is one of the primary components holding up the successful delivery and implementation of the Curriculum for Excellence Programme.