Dewley Hill and our Climate Emergency
The coal mine proposal for Dewley Hill will be considered by planners just weeks after Newcastle City Council declares a climate emergency. Coal has been extracted from across the North...
latest features
5 Barriers to Retrofit
In the first of a new series on Retrofit, we look at the main barriers to making serious energy efficiency improvements to our existing housing stock. The collapse of coal and...
A Tale of Two Walls : Rammed Earth Construction in the North East
Two rammed earth walls built in the North East offer a modern low carbon interpretation of an ancient technology. People have been constructing rammed earth walls for over 2,000 years....
There Is No Away
A new art exhibition in Hartlepool confronts viewers with the problem of single use plastics and shows how pervasive they have become. Environmental artist Diane Watson has been walking her...
A Breath of Fresh Air
Plans put forward by three North East councils to rapidly reduce air pollution are a golden opportunity to forge a sustainable transport system. Wednesday saw the start of a ten...
Top Posts of 2018
As Tracing Green reaches its 4th birthday, we reveal your favourite 3 posts of 2018. Today marks the end of our 4th year writing on green building, low-impact living, sustainable...
Each Home Counts
The striking contrast between two housing developments in the North West shows that lessons in low energy housing must be learnt. In November I travelled over to see the Lancaster...
E-bike Maintenance
E-bikes are trouble-free but like all bicycles, they require regular maintenance. For years I’ve owned bikes that were best described as ‘cheap and cheerful’. When a bike doesn’t owe you...
Two Ecohomes Secure Planning Permission
Proposals for two low-energy ecohomes in the North East have recently secured planning approval. A quick look at the UK map of certified Passivhaus projects tells you everything you need...
Upper Ouseburn Restoration Project
A partnership of local environmental charities has been enhancing an important tributary to the Tyne to improve its water quality. For over 18 months Groundwork North East & Cumbria has...
Footprint 2018
Taking steps towards a more positive and sustainable future. Last weekend I attended Footprint 2018 at Durham University. Run over two days, the event was a series of seminars, workshops,...
Adam Vaughan
Mark Siddall
