After the battle of the Midway in June 1942 there was much wreckage from the damaged, sunk and wrecked ships. After years, the wreckage dispersed and things returned to the peaceful existence it once was.

Now there is another plague, this time of plastic rubbish washing up on the shores of the islands of the Midway. Groups of worried residents, visitors and environmental groups are now on the beach clearing away tonnes of plastic that is washing up on the shores.

Much of the plastic has shipped off cargo vessels or from cruise ships visiting the area. So once more we have a battle going on in the Midway with not only human life at peril this time but the wildlife on and around the islands. If you have the option to help out on beach clear ups at Midway, or closer at home, please do and save the planet and wildlife near you. Good cleaning.

With all the hype about wind power and the two camps, fighting over the good and bad issues of giant wind turbines it is of little comfort to hear from a company in London who have had a major problem with their turbine.

The engineering consultancy company who went through many hops, mountains of paperwork and the pain of local authorities to erect their own wind turbine finally received permission to start. After further negotiations with a power company, the turbine was switched on…to produce just 27p worth of electricity in three weeks. At that rate, they calculate, it will take 2,457 years to pay back the time, effort and £11,500 price of the turbine.

With all the new wind farms forced onto the people of the coast and countryside, is this an indication that wind is not so great after all; or is it that this is an isolated case of bad location and bad installation? Do let me know your stories of wind power as I am considering one for domestic use. Thank you.

Not real leaves of the ivy but new lightweight solar panels that sit on a frame attached to the side of houses. The solar panels collect energy from the sun by day and at night the small piezoelectric generators on the underside of the panel that work in wind day or night by rising and falling.

Designed by Teresita Cochran and her brother, Sam, as a way to help people improve and move towards a zero carbon footprint. Grow, which is their prototype ivy leaf solar and wind power wall covering, is on show at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) from February 19th to May 12th 2008.

They are designed to use the emerging technology of the photovoltaic and piezo industries. Composed of ‘bricks’ made up of five photovoltaic leaves, linked to a very flexible piezo generator and a distribution panel in the home.

Plans are to manufacture the ‘bricks’ on rolls so that all components can be fitted quickly and easily before being stamped and attached to their parent frame. At the end of their life cycle, the units are stripped down with the PVs and PGs being up cycled and the plastic recycled back into the manufacturing process.

This is a great addition to the ever growing, innovative, renewable way energy is harnessed. Long may it continue.