Greened!

Climate change already affecting European wildlife, study shows

2009-03-08T18:04:00.063-04:00

The goldfinch is one of the species affected by climate change. Photo: Rob Waterhouse

European bird populations are already being affected by climate change, according to a new report, which has found significant parallels between observed changes of bird population and projections of change based on global warming.

The study, published in scientific journal PLoS One, is the world's first indicator of climate change impacts on wildlife on a continental scale.

Of the 122 bird species studied, 30 are projected to increase their range, including the hoopoe, goldfinch and collared dove, while the remaining 92, including the wood warbler, snipe and lapwing, are projected to decrease.

“Those birds we predict should fare well under climate change have been increasing since the mid-80s, and those we predict should do badly have declined over the same period," said co-author Dr. Stephen Willis from Durham University. "The worry is that the declining group actually consist of 75 per cent of the species we studied.”

The paper's lead author, Dr. Richard Gregory from the RSPB, said: "Although we have only had a very small actual rise in global average temperature, it is staggering to realise how much change we are noticing in wildlife populations.

"If we don’t take our foot off the gas now, our indicator shows there will be many much worse effects to come."

The EU is using the indicator as an official measure of the impacts of climate change on the continent’s wildlife.

Scientists from the RSPB, Durham University, the European Bird Census Council, the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, the Czech Society for Ornithology, and Statistics Netherlands contributed to the report. To read the full report, click here.

Source: RSPB

Rocks may hold carbon storage solution, say geologists

2009-03-06T22:28:00.054-05:00

Mountains such as these in California hold rocks able to store CO2

A team of geologists has mapped areas of the US containing rocks which pull carbon dioxide from the air, a process they hope can be harnessed to slow global warming.

Called ultramafic rocks, these rocks - such as peridotite, dunite and lherzholite - contain minerals that react with carbon dioxide to form limestone and chalk, effectively removing the CO2 from the air.

According to Sam Krevor, the lead author of the report from Columbia University's Earth Institute and the US Geological Survey, the United States' 6,000 square miles of ultramafic rocks could hold more than 500 years' worth of the country's carbon dioxide output.

"We're trying to show that anyone within a reasonable distance of these rock formations could use this process to sequester as much carbon dioxide as possible," said Krevor.

Generally formed deep underground, the rocks are brought to the surface under geological conditions such as plate collisions, meaning that the majority of the US rock formations are located in coastal mountain ranges in areas such as California in the west, and along the Appalachians in the east.

Mineral carbonation is a version of CSS (Carbon Capture and Storage) technology. However unlike standard methods, where liquid or gaseous CO2 is injected into spaces underground, mineral carbonation results in a harmless solid.

Scientists are working on methods to increase the speed of the reaction, which typically takes thousands of years under natural conditions.

The geologists hope that more studies of ultramafic rocks will be carried out on a global scale. In May, Juerg Matter, from Columbia's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory is taking part in a project to inject basalt formations with water saturated with CO2 from a nearby geothermal power plant. A similar project is planned for Wallula, Washington, by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

Source: The Earth Institute at Columbia University

carbon capture CO2 geology

green is black: eco-fashion for the fashion-forward

2009-03-03T20:38:00.054-05:00

The fashion industry has traditionally had a lot to answer for when it comes to environmental responsibility. According to the US Council for Textile Recycling, 68 pounds per person of textiles are thrown out each year in the US alone, most destined for landfills.

While natural fibres like cotton may seem an ecologically sound choice, many methods used in textile production - such as the use of carcinogenic pesticides - have a hugely damaging human and environmental impact, while a hefty carbon footprint is generated by manufacturing and shipping.

In keeping with an increased global awareness of environmental issues, a growing number of designers are working with sustainable, organic and recycled fabrics such as organic cotton, hemp and bamboo to create unique designs that put paid to the stigma attached to eco-clothing. The emphasis is on quality pieces that will last – a contrast to “fast fashion” and “disposable” clothes.

Greened! spoke with Kerry MacMullin, owner of ethical and eco-friendly clothing and accessories store green is black, about bringing green garments into the fashion mainstream.

G: What led you to start green is black?

KM: I started the business because, after long boycotting all new clothing (in favour of second-hand shopping) due to the questionable labour practices and environmentally irresponsible textiles, I was frustrated that there was nowhere that I could find those things that were un-findable at second-hand stores, and had nowhere to send people who saw my lifestyle and wanted to make changes, but still wanted to buy new.

G: What in particular do you dislike about the mainstream clothing industry with regard to the environment?

KM: Two aspects top the list for me. Firstly, the fabrics - synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon are petrochemical by-products, and regular cotton (not organic) accounts for just under 25 per cent of all the insecticides used globally. Also, by outsourcing the manufacturing to China the textiles cross the ocean twice - which requires a lot of fuel.

G: You started out as an online store - what prompted you to open a real-world store?

KM: Interestingly, green is black is soon going to go back to being chiefly an online store (we are closing the doors on March 28). I wanted people to have a chance to look at, touch and try on the eco-ethical fashions that are largely only available online. I wanted the concept to be out there and visible so that people would be encouraged to ask questions and give feedback. Selfishly, I wanted the opportunity to interface with like-minded individuals. And trying to get press for an online business is hard; with a storefront it's a lot easier. Press for a business of this nature is absolutely integral to its success. The store front is no longer economically possible; plus I need more time to dedicate to developing a line of accessories made with reclaimed and recycled materials.

G: What green initiatives have you taken in running your store?

KM: I power the building with Bullfrog Power, carbon offset all of my energy usage and shipping with Zero Footprint, and use a paper-free credit card transaction system. There are also the little things: all the fixtures (display pieces, racks) in the store are second-hand, all our hangers are wooden - some vintage - we don't fax, rarely print, use a laptop instead of an energy-guzzling desktop and we don't air condition the store in the summer.

G: Do you have any new lines/labels coming in that you're particularly excited about?

KM: I'm really excited about TOMS shoes - we have them coming in in a few weeks’ time. For every pair that is purchased in the developed world a pair of shoes is donated to a developing nation. Their ridiculously hot boots were developed because they needed a higher-end product in order to fund the donation of a special boot, needed in a region of Ethiopia where there is a soil-borne pathogen.

G: Which celebrity would you most like to dress in green is black clothing?

KM: I'm going to say Madonna. She's the most influential of those who made PETA's worst-dressed list for 2009. She's a timeless beauty, so it would be nice to see her wearing and endorsing eco-ethical fashion.

Items pictured are available from greenisblack.ca, or at green is black, 624 Yonge St., Toronto.

fashion cotton pesticide eco-fashion

Thousands gather at Capitol Power Plant for coal protest

2009-03-02T14:41:00.028-05:00

Environmental protesters have gathered at the Capitol Power Plant in Washington DC to demonstrate against the use of coal-fired power stations.

An estimated 2,500 demonstrators, from groups including Greenpeace, are blocking entrances to the power station - as of this moment, all of the five gates are occupied.

Demonstrators targeted the 99-year-old Capitol Power Plant for the rally because of its symbolic nature and proximity to the political heart of the US. Around 49 per cent of the fuel burned at the plant is coal. It does not provide electricity, but supplies the Capitol with steam and cold water. In 2002, the Capitol Power Plant was the second largest source of carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide in Washington.

The protesters hope to raise awareness of problems with coal, and promote legislation to reduce greenhouse gases.

A small number of counter-protesters are in attendance at the demonstration.

Today's events follow recent talks between Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and US President Barack Obama to increase investment in "clean coal" development.

Follow the protest live on Twitter here.

Live video streaming here.

Philips Washington coal

Electronics company Philips to make new strides in recycling

2009-03-01T20:39:00.031-05:00

Protesters campaign against consumer-borne recycling fees. Photo: Greenpeace

Leading electronics producer Philips has been praised by environmental groups for agreeing to change its recycling policy.

Instead of consumers paying a fixed additional fee for recycling, the company confirmed last week that it would start to integrate the recycling cost into the overall product price.

The decision follows a lengthy series of campaigns by Greenpeace, and last week's exposure of electronic waste being illegally dumped in developing countries.

Philips' acceptance of the responsibility of recycling costs is seen as a major breakthrough in e-waste recycling, as it is hoped that if companies have to bear the recycling costs of their own products, they will start to make their products easier to recycle.

"We are delighted that Philips has finally taken full financial responsibility for its own products," said Kim Schoppink, Greenpeace Netherlands toxics campaigner.

"This is a big step forward, and makes Philips a new green leader in the electronics sector."

electronics recycling Philips

Media accused of failing public on climate change

2009-02-28T22:36:00.049-05:00

Is the media misleading the public when it comes to climate change?

Researchers at the University of Liverpool think so.

They found that there was less coverage of climate change issues over the last three years than there was of health issues in just one month, while those articles on climate change that were printed offered very mixed coverage.

Dr Neil Gavin, from the university's School of Politics and Communication Studies, believes that the media has a crucial part to play in the public's perception of the importance of climate change.

“Our research suggests that the media is not treating these issues with the seriousness that scientists would say they deserve. The research company lpsos-MORI found that 50 per cent of people think the jury is still out on the causes of global warming.

"The limited amount of media coverage - which tends to be restricted to the broadsheets - means that this statistic is unlikely to alter in the short-term."

Read more about media coverage of climate change here.

climate change

Illegal trading threatens Indonesian turtle

2009-02-24T12:15:00.003-05:00

Southeast Asian Box Turtle © Chris R. Shepherd/TRAFFIC Southeast Asia

Illegal trading is decimating the population of one of Indonesia's native turtles, according to a new report by wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC.

The study shows that numbers of the once common Southeast Asian Box Turtle are falling dramatically, with turtles being exported at at least ten times the legal export quota. The turtles are used both for meat and as an ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine. They are also sold as pets to Europe, the US and Japan.

The study found at least 18 traders operating in Java, Sulawesi, Sumatra and Kalimantan dealing illegally in Southeast Asian Box Turtles.

Each trader handled an average of just under 2,230 turtles a week, adding up to a combined total of 2.1 million Southeast Asian Box Turtles per year. The vast majority is destined for export, although Indonesia’s official annual export quota for this species is just 18,000 turtles—a figure set without a scientific basis.

“The current level of illegal exploitation will result in Southeast Asian Box Turtles being systematically wiped out across Indonesia, indications of which are already obvious at collection and trade centres,” said Dr. Sabine Schoppe, author of the report.

The Box Turtle was listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 2000, but since this listing, illegal trade has increased.

The report blames weak law enforcement and recommends better training of authorities, and better cooperation between Indonesian authorities and those in importing countries to tackle illegal wildlife trade.

“Authorities should concentrate on eradicating illegal trade, and in setting realistic limits on what numbers can safely be harvested,” said Chris R. Shepherd, Senior Programme Officer with TRAFFIC Southeast Asia.

To read the report, click here.

Source: TRAFFIC/WWF

turtle wildlife WWF TRAFFIC

World's governments unite to combat mercury pollution

2009-02-22T10:47:00.049-05:00

Environmental ministers from across the world have agreed to begin negotiating a treaty that will control global mercury pollution.

More than 140 countries reached the consensus in Nairobi, Kenya, which will include actions to reduce mercury supply, its use in products and processes, and atmospheric mercury emissions, which will ultimately reduce human exposure to mercury globally.

The UN Environment Programme agreement was made possible by a dramatic shift in position by the US under the Obama administration. Under Bush, the US had opposed any legally-binding measures.

Mercury is a heavy metal and neurotoxin that travels long distances. Its most toxic form – methylmercury - accumulates in large predatory fish such as swordfish and works its way up the food chain, with the worst impacts on developing foetuses and small children. It is currently used in thermometers, electrical switches and industrial processes such as paper-making, and is released into the atmosphere from coal power plants.

Symptoms of mercury poisoning may include impaired thyroid and liver function, unsteadiness, vision and hearing problems, numbness, tiredness and memory loss. In the US 1 in 12, or just under five million females, have mercury above the level considered safe by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

UNEP estimates that every kilogramme of mercury taken out of the environment can trigger up to $12,500 worth of social, environmental and human health benefits.

"Only a few weeks ago nations remained divided on how to deal with this major public health threat which touches everyone in every country of the world," said Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director. "Today we are united on the need for a legally binding instrument and immediate action towards a transition to a low-mercury world.

"I believe this will be a major, confidence - building boost for not only the chemicals and health agenda but right across the environmental challenges of our time from biodiversity loss to climate change."

The preparations for negotiations on the global treaty will start later this year. Discussions will begin in 2010 with a view to completion by 2013.

For more information on mercury, visit zeromercury.org

Source: European Environmental Bureau and United Nations Environment Programme.

mercury pollution UNEP Barack Obama

Obama talks clean energy with Harper during Canada visit

2009-02-20T22:09:00.002-05:00

Barack Obama speaks with Stephen Harper on Thursday. Photo: www.pm.gc.ca

US President Barack Obama met with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper yesterday during his first presidential visit to Canada.

He spoke of a "Clean Energy Dialogue" between the US and Canada, devoted to "confronting the threat posed by climate change." The two main points were investment in carbon capture and storage technology to help negate the effects of US coal and Canadian oil, and the development of a more efficient electric "smart grid" across the US and Canada to deliver clean renewable energy.

While the talks have generally been seen as a positive step in terms of pushing US and Canadian green policy forward, there is concern from environmentalists that too much attention and money is being focused on reducing the negative effects of fossil fuels rather than developing new clean technology.

Carbon capture and storage involves capturing carbon emissions at the source and storing them deep underground. At the end of last year, the CBC obtained a ministerial briefing document highlighting the difficulties in effecting successful carbon capture and storage technology in Alberta's oilsands.

However, Obama was keen to stress that carbon capture and storage was just one solution. "Right now, there are no silver bullets to solve all of our energy problems. We're going to have to try a whole range of things," he said. "That's why sharing technologies, sharing ideas, sharing research and development is so important."

Harper has long faced criticism for his perceived lack of interest in the environment and continued support of oil companies operating in Alberta.

Matthew Bramley, director of the Pembina Institute's climate change program, argued that yesterday's talks were just a small step for Canada towards a successful green policy.

"Canada won't be ready for real cooperation with the US until it puts much more credible climate policies on the table," he said.

"President Obama appears on track to move the US aggressively into the clean energy economy of the 21st century. For example, the US stimulus package finalized this week outspends Canada's on renewable energy and energy efficiency by six to one, on a per capita basis.

"Canada is already falling behind the US on climate action, and Prime Minister Harper missed an important opportunity today to catch up - or to actually make Canada a leader."

To see the full Clean Energy Dialogue, click here.

Barack Obama Stephen Harper carbon capture oil sands

Mountains of electronic waste illegally dumped in Nigeria by developed countries

2009-02-19T13:21:00.034-05:00

Electronic waste from Europe arrives in Nigeria. © Greenpeace / Kristian Buus

Instead of recycling hazardous electronic waste, countries such as the UK, US and Japan are illegally shipping it to developing countries such as Nigeria for disposal, a new investigation has revealed.

In Nigeria, locals, including children, break apart the electronics - such as television sets and mobile phones - and in doing so are exposed to highly toxic chemicals such as mercury, lead and cadmium. Some items are mended and reused, but many are simply abandoned in toxic waste dumps.

In the investigation, carried out by Greenpeace, Sky News and The Independent, a broken TV set was fitted with a tracking device and dropped off at a Hampshire County Council recycling centre. Instead of being safely dismantled and recycled, it was passed off as second-hand goods, bought by a London dealer and shipped to Lagos, Nigeria, where it ended up in an electronics market.

Under EU law, it is illegal to export broken electronic goods.

"Companies can stop this illegal toxic trade now by ensuring their goods are free from hazardous components," said Greenpeace International toxics campaigner Martin Hojsík.

"It is critical they take full responsibility for the safe recycling of their products and put an end to the growing e-waste dumps that are poisoning people and the environment across the developing world."

According to Greenpeace, e-waste is the fastest-growing source of waste, with up to 80 per cent of e-waste from Europe not being disposed of safely.

The Independent said that Hampshire County Council insisted that it only used dealers who exported functional equipment.

Read the full report from the Independent here.
View a slideshow of the investigation, and find out more about e-waste dumping here.

recycling Nigeria electronics

"Medieval" eco-house unveiled in UK

2009-02-18T10:46:00.025-05:00

A zero-carbon house that uses 600-year-old medieval building techniques has been unveiled in the UK.

"Crossway", which was designed by architect Richard Hawkes in conjunction with University of Cambridge architects Michael Ramage and Philip Cooper, uses a Catalonian building style first used in medieval Valencia, Spain, called "timbrel vaulting". The design allows the house to absorb large changes in temperature and reduces the need for central heating or air conditioning.

The windows are triple-glazed and insulated with recycled newspaper, and there is a solar heating system and biomass boiler to provide any extra heating. The house also uses locally-sourced materials where possible.

It is hoped that the house could be the prototype for more green homes as renewable energy technologies become cheaper. The UK plans for all new homes to be zero-carbon by 2016.

"The design is cost-effective in that the home is relatively simple to build and, once you know what you're doing, it's quick," Ramage said.

"Many of the costs come from the new technology it uses for energy storage and generation. If those become more widely available, making a similar house cheaply in much larger quantities may be possible."

The house will be shown on Channel 4's Grand Designs tonight.

For a slideshow of images from the house, please click here.

Source: University of Cambridge

eco-house solar power Cambridge architect

EU proposes stricter laws against illegal timber

2009-02-17T17:55:00.043-05:00

The EU's Environment Committee has voted in favour of measures to reduce the amount of illegal logging - the main cause of deforestation.

In the first codecision reading, 54 out of 56 committee members voted for a set of stricter laws, which aim to keep illegal timber off the EU market.

It was recommended that all timber operators be required to provide information about the country and forest of origin of their product to improve timber traceability.

Offenders would be subject to "immediate corrective measures", including the seizure of timber, and could be forced to cease trading.

Financial penalties would take into account the level of environmental damage caused, say MEPs, and must represent "at least five times the value of the timber products obtained." In the case of repeat offences, the penalties would increase.

The committee also asked that extra attention be given to "high-risk" timber from "countries where there is consistent and reliable information regarding significant failures of forest law governance," or a "high level of corruption".

A suggested proposal to exempt timber used for biomass was deleted on the grounds that all illegally-sourced timber should be included without exception.

Illegal logging causes deforestation, loss of biodiversity and contributes to climate change. According to Greenpeace, 60 - 80 per cent of logging in the Brazilian Amazon is illegal.

The plenary vote will be held in April.

For more information on illegal logging and its effect on the environment, visit illegal-logging.info or greenpeace.org.

Source: European Parliament

EU logging deforestation timber

How green is your pet?

2009-02-16T23:27:00.045-05:00

Spa Gift Set ($29.99), Olive; Dapper collars, EcoPup; Hemp elephant ($8.95), EcoAnimal

Left to themselves, dogs and cats are naturally environmentally friendly. However, the billions of dollars worth of pet food, accessories and toys that their owners buy each year ($41.2 billion in the US during 2007) aren't always. Responsible owners are looking beyond the nylon dog coats and plastic chew toys for more sustainable products that will help their furry friends live life to the greenest.

Here's the Greened! pick of products for the ultimate eco-pet.

Playtime

The Eco Bone from West Paw Design is made from 85 per cent recycled fibres, while EcoAnimal sells stuffed hemp toys shaped like owls, elephants or birds. Cats can go environmental with Shelby the Hemp Mouse, an organic catnip toy from From the Field. In the UK, Animal Pure recycles clothing to make their Eco Denim Dumbbells and makes toys for both dogs and cats out of organic loofah, which has the added bonus of cleaning teeth when chewed.

Bathroom breaks

Picking up after your pet is certainly not to be sniffed at - but if you throw out a plastic bag every time, that's a lot of plastic ending up in landfills. Thankfully, there are now plenty of biodegradable alternatives on the market, such as BioBags and flushable Flush Doggy bags. For cats, Yesterday's News cat litter uses recycled newspapers, while Feline Pine is made from reclaimed wood shavings from lumber mills, and has a natural pine scent to minimize odours.

Loofy Fish (£2.92), Animal Pure; Organimals set ($22.45), Aubrey Organics; Eco Bones ($9.50), West Paw Design

Coats & Collars

At Annie's Sweatshop, Annie's handmade products include reversible fleece dog coats made from recycled plastic bottles, and collars and leashes made from repurposed or renewable fabric. Bonus - you can get a $5 rebate on a new collar when you bring in your old one. Eco Pup makes collars from recycled ties, and coats from organic cotton and hemp, while Etta Says stitches its recycled rubber collars in stylish colours. Isabella Cane's Pink Houses collar and leash set is made of recyclable EarthTex yarns, with a percentage of the proceeds going to rebuilding homes in New Orleans.

Bathtime

There are plenty of pet owners out there who want to use the same quality of products on their canine companions as they do on themselves. Olive's Olive Spa Gift Set is a pack of biodegradable products including Bubble + Squeak® organic dog shampoo, Soap Lump and Fur Spritzer, in recyclable bottles. Fuzzyard's organic sulphate-free products include Tangerine and Rosemary Super Shine shampoo and conditioner, while alongside its human product line, Aubrey Organics makes Organimals organic pet shampoo, conditioning rinse and grooming spray using pennyroyal as a natural pest repellent.

Sleeping & Scratching

Look for beds made from recycled or sustainable fabrics, such as the Eco Slumber bed from West Paw Design and the My Pillow pet bed from Annie's Sweatshop, which are both made with fabrics made from recycled plastic bottles. The Scratch 'n' Shape Scratching Pads from All Designer Pet Products come in 34 different styles - including cheese, chicken, fishbone and football shapes - are made from 30 per cent recycled materials and are 100 per cent recyclable.

Poop bags, BioBags; Hemp mouse, From the Field; Shampoo and conditioner, Fuzzyard

Keep up with the latest in eco-friendly pet products at these green pet blogs:
greatgreenpet.com
blog.raiseagreendog.com
greenlittlecat.com

pets dog cat

Polar explorers on mission to answer Arctic sea ice question

2009-02-15T13:31:00.042-05:00

L-R: Hadow, Hartley and Daniels. Photo: Martin Hartley (www.martinhartley.com)

A trio of polar explorers is set to undertake an arduous Arctic expedition to collect data vital to our understanding of global warming.

The Catlin Arctic Survey Ice Team - Pen Hadow, Martin Hartley and Ann Daniels - is conducting a scientific survey of the Arctic Ocean’s floating sea ice, measuring its thickness and density in order to accurately determine the rate at which it is disappearing.

The Ice Team will start at the edge of the permanent sea ice off the Canadian coast and make its way 1,300 kilometres to the North Geographic Pole, which it hopes to reach in late May to early June.

Hadow, Daniels and Hartley will haul sleds weighing around 100 kilograms, carrying ice drills and specially designed ice-penetrating radar equipment to take comprehensive measurements of the ice thickness and density, as well as gather atmospheric and water readings. The 90-day trek may also include swimming for more than 100 hours in Arctic waters. During the early stages of the expedition, the team will experience temperatures as low as -50ºC, with a wind chill temperature of -90ºC.

“This is important data at a critical time for the Arctic,” said Neil Hamilton, Director of WWF International’s Arctic Programme. “This is the only on-the-ground information about ice thickness coming out of the Arctic this year. Satellites give us good indications about the extent of the ice, but this expedition will produce solid information about its thickness and density. These measurements are important for our understanding of how long the ice will last.”

Sea ice is critical to a stable global climate as it reflects 80 per cent of the sun's rays, which otherwise would be absorbed by the open water, resulting in rising sea levels and unpredictable weather patterns. It is also vital for Arctic wildlife, such as polar bears.

The permanent central region of the Arctic Ocean’s ice cover has receded at a rate of up to 10 per cent per decade since 1979, according to the US National Snow and Ice Data Centre. Last year’s summer melt saw Arctic sea ice plummet to its lowest level since satellite measurements began. According to one projection, floating Arctic sea ice may vanish as early as 2013.

“The scientists we are working with at the Catlin Arctic Survey are recording rapidly receding ice,” said Hamilton. “I only know what I have seen myself during my time on the Arctic Ocean, but if we succeed in re-connecting exploration with its origins in science, it will be a job well done.”

The expedition can be tracked online at Google Earth, where viewers can see information from the expedition, along with photos and video.

More information about the expedition can be found at catlinarcticsurvey.com.
Google Earth can be downloaded for free at earth.google.com.

Information from Catlin Arctic Survey and WWF. All photographs Martin Hartley (martinhartley.com)

Arctic sea ice global warming

Australian bushfires unleash millions of tonnes of carbon

2009-02-13T21:17:00.021-05:00

Australia is facing a massive environmental challenge from the huge amounts of carbon dioxide released by this year's bushfires.

Scientists believe that the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere may be equal to that produced in a full year by Australian industry.

Speaking to The Australian's Asa Wahlquist, Professor Mark Adams from the University of Sydney said that the carbon release was "far, far more than we're ever going to be able to sequester from planting trees or promoting carbon capture."

Australia's 2003 and 2006/7 bushfires were estimated to have released 70-105 million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere. Because the forests affected by this year's fires are much more carbon-dense, it is thought that their emissions will be far greater.

Currently carbon emissions from forest fires are not included in the Kyoto Protocol, though this may change with a new climate change protocol.

This year's bushfires have killed over 180 people, with the final official death toll predicted to be at least 200.

Read Adams' full interview with The Australian here.
See images from the bushfires and their aftermath here.

Australia bushfire carbon Kyoto

Get greened at the National Home Show's "Think Green Day" - February 25

2009-02-12T21:16:00.013-05:00

Want to let a little more green design into your life?

Toronto locals, take note. February 25th is "Think Green Day" at the National Home Show, featuring tips and insights from green living experts.

Special guests include Barbara Nyke, interior decorator and owner of eco-design firm Nikka Designs, and HGTV's Carson Arthur and Emmanuel Belliveau, respective hosts of Green Force and World's Greenest Homes.

See the latest in eco-luxe design, sustainable building and environmentally-friendly gardens, and shop at over 50 booths from green stores and suppliers - just look for the eco-product sign.

Stop by the National Home Show from February 20 - March 1. Visit nationalhomeshow.com for more information and presentation times.

Details:

Dates: Friday, Feb 20 – Sunday, Mar 1, 2009 (Think Green Day is Feb 25)
Time: 11am - 9 pm
Place: Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto
Admission: Adults $15 Seniors/Children $11; Children under 12 go free. Two day pass $24
Purchase tickets at the door or get $3 off at nationalhomeshow.com

Don't live in Toronto?

Feb 18 - 22 - BC Home & Garden Show (Vancouver)
bchomeandgardenshow.com
Feb 26 - Mar 1 - Calgary Home & Garden Show
calgaryhomeshow.com
Mar 20 - 29 - Montreal National Home Show
montrealnationalhomeshow.com
Mar 19 - 22 - Edmonton Home & Garden Show
edmontonhomeshow.com
Mar 26 - 29 - Ottawa Home & Garden Show
ottawahomeshows.com

For a list of US shows, click here.

"Great British Refurb" to make all UK homes energy-efficient by 2030

2009-02-12T13:01:00.025-05:00

Solar panels on the roof of a London school. Photo: Fabienne Winkworth

The UK government has announced plans for an energy efficiency refurbishment of all the nation's homes.

Dubbed "The Great British Refurb", The Heat and Energy Saving Strategy, which will be published for consultation today by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, aims to bring household carbon emissions to near zero by 2050 - part of the government's 2050 target of an 80 per cent reduction in overall emissions.

Key parts of the plan include finance packages for refurbishment, incentives to switch to low-carbon technologies such as solar power, the establishment of a central coordinating body, and the introduction of low-cost energy audits and an accreditation scheme for installers.

The government aims to provide cavity wall and loft insulation for all suitable properties by 2015. 400,000 households a year are to have energy makeovers by 2015, with hopes that by 2030 all homes will have access to whole house improvements.

"We know the scale of the challenge: wasted energy is costing families on average £300 a year, and more than a quarter of all our emissions are from our homes," said Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband.

"Energy efficiency and low-carbon energy are the fairest routes to curbing emissions, saving money for families, improving our energy security and insulating us from volatile fossil fuel prices."

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said: "Alongside global and national drives to tackle climate change and address fuel poverty we must remember the importance of collective action. All across the country there are examples of communities working together to become greener - buying local produce, sharing and comparing how they use energy, and of whole streets working together to cut carbon emissions.

"By encouraging this shared sense of responsibility and collective action we can tap into the ideas, innovation, and energy of groups of people across the country, helping foster greater neighbourliness, lower bills and less carbon dioxide emissions."

While the strategy has been welcomed by environmental groups, there is concern over the expected delay in implementing these changes.

"At long last ministers appear to have woken up to the need for huge emissions cuts from our houses - too much energy is being wasted cooking the planet, rather than heating our homes," said Friends of the Earth executive director Andy Atkins.

"An ambitious target to cut household emissions by a third by 2020 is certainly needed to help meet the challenge we face - but this won't be achieved if we wait four years for major work to begin."

The plan is also likely to create thousands of jobs in the UK.

The Heat and Energy Saving Strategy will be open for consultation for 12 weeks, with a final version due to be published later this year.

Also published for consultation today were proposals for a 20 per cent increase in the current carbon emmisions reduction program, which offers subsidised energy-efficiency measures, and proposals for a new Community Energy Savings Programme (CESP) to provide help to around 90,000 homes in low-income areas, backed by an expected £350 million in funding from energy suppliers and generators.

climate change energy efficiency solar power

Canadian athletes call for carbon neutral Vancouver Olympics

2009-02-10T14:30:00.012-05:00

L-R: Kristina Groves (Photo:Ewan Nicholson); Thomas Grandi and Sara Renner; Kevin Light

More than 70 of Canada’s leading athletes have written to organizers of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, asking them to do more to make the Olympics carbon neutral.

While the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) has said that the environment is one of the top priorities for the 2010 Games, there is concern that not enough is being done to address the real environmental impact of the event, which is estimated to produce 328,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

At the United Nations in October 2007, VANOC CEO John Furlong stated the official position of the organizers, saying, “Climate change is at the top of our environmental agenda having set an early goal of a carbon neutral Games.” Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee has officially made “Environment” the third pillar of the Games, after “Sport”, and “Culture”.

However, while VANOC has planned other initiatives, such as making venues more energy efficient, it has not yet said how it intends to tackle the biggest part of its carbon footprint – the estimated 69 per cent from the air travel to and from the event by participants, officials, sponsors, employees, media and spectators.

In 2007, VANOC asked the David Suzuki Foundation to produce an estimate of the 2010 Games’ greenhouse gas emissions. The estimate was roughly 328,000 tonnes – the equivalent of approximately 65,600 cars on the road for one year.

The report also estimated that it would cost less than $5 million to make the Games carbon neutral (assuming $15/tonne for offsets). This sum represents 0.3 per cent of VANOC’s current operating budget of about $1.76 billion.

“We're encouraging VANOC to lead by example and use the inspirational power of the Olympics. Let’s show the world that together we can put effective climate change solutions into action," said rower Adam Kreek, a Beijing Olympic gold medallist.

There is concern among winter Olympic athletes that global warming will affect the future of winter sports due to decreased amounts of snow and ice.

“Throughout my 15-year career as a cross-country skier, I have seen the seasons becoming less predictable, and races being cancelled more frequently due to lack of snow, said Sara Renner, an Olympic silver medallist, and one of the founding members of Play it Cool, an initiative by athletes to raise awareness of the impact of climate change on sports.

“I am concerned about the future of the sports we love, but also about the next generation of Canadians, who will be left to deal with even more serious climate change impacts if we don’t act now.”

You can read the athletes’ letter to VANOC, and see a full list of signatures, online here. You can also add your own name to the letter.
Learn more about Play it Cool at playitcool.ca.

Source: David Suzuki Foundation

Slideshow of the participating athletes

Vancouver Olympics athletes David Suzuki

Contest - Win a "Wisdom" water bottle from Gaiam

2009-02-09T19:23:00.007-05:00

We all know that using plastic water bottles is bad for the environment. So Greened! is offering you the chance to win your own reusable water bottle from Gaiam.

How to enter:
Simply fill in the contest form below. The contest ends on Sunday, February 22nd. One winner will be chosen at random.

Contest is open to residents of the US, Canada and the UK. For full rules, see the "Details" section on the contest form.

contest giveaway Gaiam

Moon bears rescued from Chinese bile farms - UPDATED

2009-02-08T23:39:00.082-05:00

A caged moon bear arrives at the Moon Bear Rescue Centre. © AAF

13 sick and malnourished moon bears were rescued from Chinese bile farms on Friday by an animal welfare group.

The Sichuan Forestry Protection Department handed over the bears to Animals Asia, which took them to its Moon Bear Rescue Centre in Chengdu, Sichuan Province.

Moon bears, who get their name from the distinctive yellow crescent moon marking on their chests, are farmed in China for their bile, a traditional ingredient in Chinese medicine.

The bears are kept in tiny, cramped cages and have holes made in their abdomen through which the bile drains. The practise was developed in order to limit the numbers of bears killed for their gall bladders, though despite this Animals Asia says the bears are often still poached by hunters.

According to official estimates, the number of farmed bears is around 7,000, although Animals Asia says that the real number may be closer to 10,000. It is estimated that there are only around 16,000 moon bears left in the wild, a problem made worse by loss of natural habitat.

The bear rescues are part of a deal made in 2000 between Animals Asia and the China Wildlife Conservation Association to remove 500 bears from illegal or badly-run farms in Sichuan Province. The bear farms are compensated for the animals and the farms are closed down, with the licenses handed over to Animals Asia. So far the group has rescued 260 bears.

Of the 13 bears rescued on Friday, one bear had to be put down because of advanced liver disease. The rest were quarantined, where they were given fruit shakes and fruit kebabs, along with straw to sleep on. On Saturday the bears were given thorough health checks and transferred into roomy recovery cages. Many of the bears will be given surgery over the next few weeks.

Along with the holes in their abdomens, which often become infected, farmed bears can suffer from a host of other problems, including worn teeth and sores from bar-biting. In particular, the rescue team were checking for signs of liver cancer, one of the most frequent problems they have encountered in bears treated this way.

“Most of the bears that arrived today had scars and wounds on their heads as a result of repetitive bar-rubbing during their years on the farm. In short, they are cage-crazy," said Jill Robinson, founder and CEO of Animals Asia.

“Some of these bears are clearly sick and it will take a few days before we can determine the full extent of their injuries, " added senior vet Heather Bacon.

"We fear more may have liver cancer as this is often the case with bears that have been tapped for their bile. But even if we are forced to euthanise others, at least their suffering will be over soon."

With rehabilitation, the bears will hopefully make a full recovery at the Moon Bear Rescue Centre, which provides them with a semi-natural environment where they can be cared for and monitored.

Animals Asia is working to promote herbal and synthetic substitutes to bear bile, which are already used widely in Japan, Korea and China.

UPDATE: To see how the bears are recovering, click here.

To learn more about the moon bears and the work of Animals Asia, visit animalsasia.org.

Source: Animals Asia.
moon bear China conservation

Speed bumps to bring green energy to London

2009-02-08T15:36:00.019-05:00

London is set to introduce "green" speed bumps that generate electricity when a car drives over them.

The Observer's Rhodri Phillips spoke to inventor Peter Hughes about the speed bumps, or ramps, which will be used to power street light, traffic lights and road signs in London's pilot project.

"They are speed bumps, but they are not like conventional speed bumps. They don't damage your car or waste petrol when you drive over them - and they have the added advantage that they produce energy free of charge," Hughes said.

Panels in the ramps generate energy by moving up and down as cars pass over them. The ramps can be laid flat so that drivers don't realise they are there.

According to Hughes, ten of the ramps could generate the same amount of power as one wind turbine. If the trial proves successful, the speed ramps could be widely introduced across the UK.

Read the Observer's full report here.

speed bump renewable energy London

Cellulosic ethanol - the fuel of the future?

2009-02-07T21:23:00.011-05:00

According to new research released last week by the University of Minnesota, we should all be pumping cellulosic ethanol into our fuel tanks.

The study, conducted by the University of Minnesota's Institute on the Environment, found that cellulosic ethanol - made from plant fibres - is better for the environment than corn-based ethanol, as it emits smaller amounts of fine particulate matter, one of the most harmful components of air pollution.

The study also found that, depending on production methods, cellulosic ethanol's environmental and health costs (19 - 32 cents/gallon) are less than both gasoline (71 cents), and corn-based ethanol (72 cents to $1.45).

The authors point out that other potential advantages of cellulosic biofuels, such as reducing the amount of fertilizer and pesticide runoff into rivers and lakes, may also add to the economic benefit of transitioning to next-generation biofuels.

The latest research stands as a direct contradiction to a 2008 paper by Stanford professor Mark Jacobson, who wrote a paper comparing different alternatives to fossil fuels, in which he argues that cellulosic ethanol actually produces more air pollution, requires more land and causes more damage to wildlife than corn ethanol. In addition, a 2008 study by economics researchers at Iowa State University calculated that the large-scale production of cellulosic ethanol would not be economically viable in the long term.

Compared to energy sources such as wind, solar and wave power, biofuels have been criticized for tackling the problem of fossil fuel dependence with methods that themselves pose risks to the environment, such as biodiversity loss from monoculture, soil erosion, and deforestation to access agricultural land.

The production of corn-based ethanol in particular has attracted criticism from a social perspective - if grain becomes a more valuable commodity, it would raise food prices, to the detriment of poorer consumers.

Criticism of first-generation biofuels, such as corn-based ethanol, has led to the development of a variety of new biofuels, which do not compete with crops. Dubbed "second-generation biofuels", these come from sources such as plant waste, switchgrass, manure and even algae, and include cellulosic ethanol.

One of the reasons why the development of biofuels is so popular is that they can be used in cars and aeroplanes without the adaptation that powering vehicles with electricity generated by wind, wave and solar power would require. Biofuels can also be mixed with regular fuels. Testing of biofuel blends has already been successfully carried out by Japan Airlines (using camelina oil) and Air New Zealand (using jatropha oil), both of which used a 50:50 blend of regular fuel and biofuel.

Last month the US Department of Agriculture approved the first ever loan guarantee to a commercial scale cellulosic ethanol plant.

In the UN's report, "Sustainable Energy: A Framework for Decision Makers", proper caution is recommended to maximise the benefits of developing biofuels, while minimizing potential damage to both the environment and societies worldwide.

Read more of the University of Minnesota report here.
Read three expert opinions on biofuels here.

ethanol biofuel environment

Love green - have an eco-friendly Valentine's Day

2009-02-06T22:07:00.020-05:00

Adoption kit ($40), WWF; Notebook (£10), Love Eco; Scrub and body spray ($12-22), Juliet's Room

We've all heard - or made - the rant about the shallow commercialism of Valentine's Day. But what if you could show someone you care, and take the opportunity to give something back to the planet too? Here's the Greened! guide to responsible romance.

Chocolate

Organic, Fair Trade and eco-friendly chocolate is becoming more and more widespread - the trick is to find a bar that ticks all three boxes. Look for Dagoba Organic Chocolate, which is not only grown organically in sustainable rainforests, but whose owners are doing their part by working in Costa Rica and Ecuador to replant cacao trees and revive a threatened cacao tree varietal. The company has also made it its mission to operate in an eco-friendly way - read more at dagobachocolate.com. The new Apothecary line blends 74 per cent cacao content dark chocolate with botanical blends - to awaken the heart, "Eros" fuses boysenberries and botanicals including Horny Goat Weed.

In Canada look for Cocoa Camino, whose Fair Trade organic chocolate bars are flavoured with green tea, chili, mint and mocchacino, and come in ecologically packaged polypropylene foil (OPP), with 100 per cent recycled or sustainable paper packaging. Zazubean makes some highly appropriate Valentine's flavours - try "Flirt", with acai and sour cherries, or "Hottie" with chili and cinnamon.

Flowers

It seems odd that something like flowers could be bad for the environment, but most commercial flowers are grown using damaging pesticides - and then shipped worldwide, leaving a high carbon footprint. However, it is possible to find eco-friendly flowers - ask your local florist for flowers that are organic or at least grown locally. If you're in North America, look out for the VeriFlora label, which marks flowers as sustainably grown, while UK residents can check out sites such as Felicity Morgan flowers. For more tips on buying eco-friendly flowers, take a look at gardener and author Amy Stewart's blog.

Instead of cut flowers, why not pick a potted plant which will live longer - you could choose a fruit tree such as this organic Meyer lemon tree from Viva Terra, or beribbon a sweet-smelling herb plant. Or, if you want to go even bigger, plant a tree in their name: in the US visit Plant a Tree USA; in Canada visit Love Trees, and in the UK visit the Woodland Trust.

Left to right: Pangea Organics; Dagoba Organic Chocolate; The OC Clutch ($138), Ecoist

Gifts

Ecoist specializes in Fair Trade products handmade from recycled materials, such as brightly-coloured candy wrapper bags and clutches ($38-$188 US), mens' recycled plastic wallets ($14.95), and jewellery made from recycled glass and vinyl records ($25-$68). Ecoist plants a tree for every handbag or bracelet sold and works with Trees for the Future to reforest areas that have been affected by industrial development, including Uganda, Haiti and Mexico.

Sites like ecoconsciousmarket.com and love-eco.co.uk also offer a wide variety of imaginative and ethical gifts. Or why not make a donation to a charity in your loved one's name or adopt an animal through the WWF? After all, nothing says "I love you" quite like a share in an orangutan ($40).

Pampering presents

Everyone appreciates a little pampering, and organic and environmentally-friendly products can make the experience that little bit sweeter. Juliet's Room offers organic skin and body care produced in a green-energy neutral facility, uses all-recyclable packaging and donates to environmental and human-rights organizations. Bestselling products include Vanilla Cardamom Body Spray ($12 CAD), White Chocolate Organic Body Butter ($29) and the Green Tea Coconut Clay Masque ($14). Ships to Canada and the US.

Pangea Organics uses a Zero Waste packaging process for its organic products, which include Egyptian Basil and Mint Shower Gel ($16 US), Pyrenees Lavender with Damiana Tea soap ($8) and facial care such as Argentinian Tangerine and Thyme toner ($26). Packaging is made of 100 per cent post consumer recycled paper and organic seeds - simply soak and plant to grow plants such as sweet basil, amaranth, or even spruce trees. Visit pangeaorganics.com for stockists or to buy online.

Aveda has been committed to environmentally-conscious principles since 1978, and its products are manufactured in recycled or recyclable packaging, using 100 per cent wind power . Its yearly Earth Months have raised over $11 million for environmental causes. Widely available worldwide; visit aveda.com for stockists.

Cards

Buy a card made of recycled paper, or stretch your creative muscles by making your own - after all, it takes a lot more effort to make a card than pick one up at the store. Or send an e-card - visit davidsuzuki.org for three environmentally-themed options, and find the WWF's selection of cute critter cards here.

Valentines Day chocolate Fair Trade organic

Global warming could increase sea levels by 21 feet, scientists warn

2009-02-05T21:43:00.008-05:00

Rising sea levels due to global warming could be much higher than previously thought, swamping coastal areas such as southern Florida and putting Washington D.C. under water, according to a new study.

If the West Antarctic Ice Sheet were to collapse, current estimates by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change put sea levels at 16.5 feet. However, researchers from the University of Oregon and the University of Toronto have predicted that the sea level rise could reach 21 feet. In Europe, sea levels could rise by 18 feet.

The report, which will be published in Science on Friday, explains that when the original estimate was made, several significant factors were not taken into account, including the gravitational pull of the huge ice sheet on the surrounding water, which would be lost if the ice were to melt.

“A study was done more than 30 years ago pointing out this gravitational effect, but for some reason it became virtually ignored,” said Peter Clark, a professor of geosciences at Oregon State University. “People forgot about it when developing their sea level projections for the future.”

The melting of the ice sheet would have other effects too. According to the study, the removal of the weight of the ice would shift the rotational axis of the Earth by about a third of a mile, which would also alter sea levels.

With all this taken into account, sea levels would decrease around Antarctica, while rising in the Northern Hemisphere.

“If this did happen, there would also be many other impacts that go far beyond sea level increase, including much higher rates of coastal erosion, greater damage from major storm events, problems with ground water salinization, and other issues,” said Clark.

“And there could be correlated impacts on other glaciers and ice sheets in coastal areas that could tend to destabilize them as well.”

It is not yet clear how long it may take for the West Antarctic Ice Sheet to melt completely.

"These same effects apply to any amount of melting that may occur from West Antarctica,” Clark said. “So many coastal areas need to plan for greater sea level rise than they may have expected.”

Meanwhile there is also concern over the fate of Antarctica's marine life, as global warming means predators from warmer seas are moving into Antarctic waters, threatening established ecosystems.

See images and video showing effects of rising sea levels here.
Source: University of Oregon

Antarctic climate change sea levels global warming

Aussies demand action on climate change as drought and floods ravage nation

2009-02-04T22:12:00.013-05:00

As Australia suffers some of the worst weather extremes it has ever seen, its people are urging their government to get serious about tackling climate change.

Temperatures in South Australia and Victoria soared above 110F for six consecutive days, claiming 37 lives, causing hundreds of bushfires and leaving more than 10,000 homes without power. The high temperatures, not seen for a century, are expected to reach Sydney by the end of the week.

Meanwhile, in north Queensland, 3000 homes have been affected by floods, with no reprieve yet, as meteorologists are predicting that cyclone Ellie will bring yet more rainfall. Residents have also been cautioned to watch out for snakes and large crocodiles that have been forced to seek dry land.

The extreme weather conditions are being widely attributed to climate change.

"Eleven of the hottest years in history have been in the last 12, and we also note, particularly in the southern part of Australia, we're seeing less rainfall," said Climate Change Minister Penny Wong.

"All of this is consistent with climate change, and all of this is consistent with what scientists told us would happen."

On Tuesday over 2,500 people formed a circle around Parliament House in Canberra in a peaceful protest to urge the government to take more action on climate change.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has faced criticism for pledging only a five per cent reduction in carbon pollution by 2020, a figure that Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown called "a global embarrassment and a recipe for global catastrophe," and for his support of the Australian coal industry, which supplies almost 40 per cent of globally-traded coal.

Australia is the driest habitable continent in the world and as such is expected to face a severe threat from climate change. There is particular concern for the fate of indigenous communities living in remote areas who may be worst affected by drought.

It's appropriate timing for March's climate change conference in Perth, Greenhouse 2009, which will discuss climate change science and how government and industry can help control greenhouse emissions.

Australia Kevin Rudd heatwave crocodile

13,500 join Greenpeace Heathrow campaign

2009-02-03T17:44:00.013-05:00

© Greenpeace / Jiri Rezac

Over 13,500 people have signed up to Greenpeace's campaign to stop the expansion of the UK's Heathrow airport, by becoming owners of a plot of land designated for development.

The UK government last month approved the expansion of the airport to six terminals and three runways, increasing annual flight numbers from around 500,000 to somewhere between 700,000 and 800,000. Amid controversy, supporters - including Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown - have stressed the economic benefits of increased airport capacity and argue that the expansion will create more jobs in the troubled economic climate.

However, not only will the expansion have a huge effect on the surrounding areas in terms of noise pollution, congestion and development (700 homes and businesses in the village of Sipson will be demolished to make way for the runway), but the amount of Co2 emissions will skyrocket. Currently aviation emissions account for around 13 per cent of the UK's total. An increase in flight numbers will simply serve to negate the hard work that the UK has done so far to combat climate change.

By buying a plot of land on the development site, Greenpeace hopes that the expansion will not be able to continue, and has issued an open invitation for people to sign up to become "beneficial owners" of the land.

The campaign has acquired a large following, including environmentalist George Monbiot, Royal Society Research Fellow Dr Simon Lewis, actress Emma Thompson and comedian Alistair McGowan (pictured above).

"I don't understand how any government remotely serious about committing to reversing climate change can even consider these ridiculous plans." said Thompson.

The Department for Transport’s ‘UK Air Passenger Demand and CO2 Forecasts’ November 2007 states that in 2005 Heathrow emitted 18.2 million tonnes of CO2, with 476,000 flights. Using this as a base line, an extra 226,000 flights at Heathrow would result in an additional 8.64 million tonnes of C02. (Source: Greenpeace)

Tellingly, Heathrow's expansion approval is also happening at the same time as the EU announced plans to take the UK to court over unaceptable levels of air pollution.

The UK government has meanwhile committed to reducing carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2050. Despite the Climate Change Act and its support for renewable energy development, if projects like this are approved on behalf of an increasingly outraged nation, it's going to make it pretty hard to meet this target.

Watch a video report on the Heathrow expansion here.
Learn more about the Greenpeace campaign, or add your name to the list of "beneficial owners" at http://www.stopheathrow.org/.
Join more than 5,000 members of the Facebook Group "Stop Heathrow Expansion" here.
Greenpeace Heathrow carbon dioxide pollution

The anti-plastic pioneers

2009-02-02T18:25:00.017-05:00

The world's annual consumption of plastic has increased from around 5 million tonnes in the 1950s to nearly 100 million tonnes. Virtually every piece of plastic ever made still exists.

Plastic has a huge environmental impact, and not only through pollution released through its creation, or its clogging of landfill sites. Vast amounts of plastics are ending up in our countryside and in our oceans, something that can have a devastating effect on wildlife. To give you some figures, the 2007 Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup picked up:

-79,646 plastic bags
-31,732 plastic drinks bottles
-32,756 cups, plates, forks, knives, spoons
-27,994 straws and stirrers

Bear in mind that this is just a portion of the total amount collected. And that this is just what was actually washed up on shore. In Canada.

Although many plastics today are recyclable, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, in 2007 only 6.8 per cent of plastics were recycled in the US. The use of plastic is so thoroughly embedded in our daily lives that trying to revert to an entirely plastic-free world seems almost impossible.

One of the biggest advances that has been made to counter the plastic problem is the development of sustainable packaging. This includes bioplastics such as PLA (Polylactide Acid Plastic), which is made from plants such as corn and sugar cane via a process that uses less energy and emits less greenhouse gas than the production of traditional plastics. While there has been some concern over the abilities of recycling and composting centres to process some bioplastics effectively, there is hope that solving these problems can help reduce the amount of non-degradable plastics ending up in landfills.

So hats off to the packaging pioneers that are trying to make our world plastic-free:

Earthcycle

A Vancouver-based eco-packaging company, Earthcycle produces sustainable, compostable packaging made from palm fibre, which is a waste product left over from palm oil production. Products include fresh produce packs and take-out containers, with others in development. Earthcycle products are currently used in select Wal Mart, Publix, Safeway, Loblaws, Kroger and Wegmans stores.

Cargo Cosmetics - PlantLove

In 2007 Cargo introduced its PlantLove cosmetics range. The inner packaging, made entirely from corn, is biodegradable via composting, and has won awards across the board for innovation and environmental awareness. Lipstick outer cartons are made from 100 per cent post-consumer waste biodegradable paper, containing wildflower seeds - just plant the paper and flowers will grow. Cargo PlantLove products, including lipstick, eyeshadow and mineral foundation, are available at Sephora.

Plantic Technologies

An Australian bioplastics pioneer, Plantic Technologies uses corn starch to make biodegradable packaging (Plantic) which can be used in all manner of traditional plastics applications, such as flexible and rigid food containers. Plantic is certified Home Compostable and is already used for products from Marks and Spencer and Cadbury Schweppes.

But I've been saving the best for last...

Brand Image - The paper water bottle

According to the US National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR), 2.7 million tons of plastic PET bottles hit US shelves in 2006. Of that 2.7 million tons, four fifths went into landfills.

To offer a solution to this problem, the design agency Brand Image has come up with an entirely novel idea - the paper water bottle. (Yes, paper.)

The 360 water bottle uses sheets of paper made from bamboo and palm leaves, compressed around a thin layer of PLA which acts as the barrier for water and oxygen. The design also enables the bottles to be transported in bulk without the need for any outer packaging. Any individual company branding would be made with natural dyes.

Brand Image hopes that they will be able to find homes for the 360 water bottle among the world's leading water suppliers. Let's cross our fingers.

Find more examples of sustainable packaging here - winners in the 2008 DuPont Awards For Packaging Innovation.
Watch the CBC's documentary Forever Plastic. (only available for viewers within Canada)
Want to reduce your plastic footprint? Find tips on how to limit your plastic use here.
plastic recycling bioplastic

Cost of saving the world? $10 trillion

2009-02-01T17:03:00.009-05:00

The World Economic Forum has warned that unless $515 billion is invested in clean energy each year between now and 2030, carbon emissions will cause global temperatures to rise by two degrees.

In its Green Investing: Towards a Clean Energy Infrastructure report, released at this year's Davos conference, the WEF and New Energy Finance named eight emerging, large-scale clean energy sectors that are expected to significantly contribute in the shift from fossil fuels to clean energy:

-Onshore wind
-Offshore wind
-Solar photovoltaic
-Solar thermal electricity generation
-Municipal solar waste-to-energy
-Sugar-based ethanol
-Cellulosic and next generation biofuels
-Geothermal power

The report’s authors, Max von Bismarck and Anuradha Gurung from the World Economic Forum, and Chris Greenwood and Michael Liebreich from New Energy Finance, argue that “enormous investment in energy infrastructure is required to address the twin threats of energy insecurity and climate change.

"In light of the global financial crisis, it is crucial that every dollar is made to ‘multi-task’ to create a sustainable low-carbon economy.”

Even after a financially troubled 2008, the report shows that clean energy opportunities have the potential to generate significant economic returns. An index of the world’s 90 leading clean energy companies had a five-year compounded annualized return of almost 10 per cent, unmatched by the world’s major stock indices.

Also at Davos, a group of climate change experts warned against complacency in the UN climate talks and urged business, governments, experts and civil society groups to come together to design “win-win” projects and collaborations – projects that are good for the economy in the short term and that help to tackle climate change in the longer term.

renewable energy Davos climate change

Bringing the beavers back to Britain

2009-01-29T19:50:00.014-05:00

This spring will see wild beavers back in Britain; the first since they were wiped out by fur hunters in the 16th century.

Four beaver families arrived in the UK in November last year from Norway, and are still in a six-month quarantine period before being tagged and released into the Scottish countryside, in a trial project to determine the potential success of a widespread reintroduction. The beaver project will be the first formal reintroduction of a native mammal to the UK.

The Scottish Beaver Trial will be run over the next five years by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, and monitored by Scottish Natural Heritage. If the project is successful, then it is hoped beavers will be widely introduced.

The reintroduction of the beavers will have a number of positive effects, says ecologist Derek Gow, in an interview with the Guardian's Paul Evans.

Beavers could help water filtration, removing pollutants and conserving water supply to reservoirs. They are ideal for ecosystem engineering, and they bring real environmental benefits."

Environment Minister Michael Russell also hopes that the beavers will attract visitors: "They are charismatic, resourceful little mammals and I fully expect their reappearance in Knapdale to draw tourists from around the British Isles and even further afield.

"Other parts of Europe, with a similar landscape to Scotland, have reintroduced beavers and evidence has shown that they can also have positive ecological benefits, such as creating and maintaining a habitat hospitable to other species."

And, as Evans writes, such projects can have far-reaching benefits for conservation: "As traditional conservation becomes more difficult, with less money available and less public support in the current financial climate, the reintroduction of charismatic fauna offers conservation bodies a chance to engage with the public in ways that obscure species of plants and invertebrates in isolated nature reserves unfortunately don't."

Opposition to the beaver reintroduction has come from the Scottish Crofting Foundation, plus some forestry and fishing associations, who argue that the beavers could have a damaging effect.

The success of the beavers could pave the way for the reintroduction of more wildlife to Britain, including lynx and grey wolves. Other projects have brought great bustards and white-tailed eagles back, while wild boar reintroduced themselves by escaping from a boar farm in 1987.

To read more about the project, visit http://www.scottishbeavers.org.uk/

beaver conservation

Canadian federal budget leaves environment out in the cold

2009-01-28T16:51:00.009-05:00

The 2009 Canadian federal budget, while hailed by many as a welcome stimulus to the economy, is clear evidence that the government is not doing enough to support the environment, particularly the development of renewable energy.

While on the surface the $1 billion pledged by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to support renewable energy projects over the next five years may appear generous, when compared with the $2.7 billion of emergency funding the budget has allocated to the Canadian auto industry - plus a $12 billion program to help finance car leasing - it sounds almost laughable. And let's not forget the $75 billion mortgage bailouts.

Some gains were made for the environment, including $407 million over two years for passenger rail, $300 million for energy efficient home retrofits, and $80 million to manage already contaminated sites. However, these measures do not go far enough, say environmental campaigners.

“Although this budget has some pockets of green spending, overall it represents a missed opportunity for the government to position Canada as a leader in the green economy of the future," said Peter Robinson, CEO of the David Suzuki Foundation. (See an environmental analysis of the 2009 federal budget by the David Suzuki Foundation here.)

"Contrast this with what our major trading partner, the US, is doing under President Barack Obama. President Obama just announced $55 billion in immediate green stimulus spending. Meanwhile, less than five per cent of Canada’s budget is allocated to immediate green stimulus spending.”

As part of its environment plan, the Conservative budget is also allocating $351 million to Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., and establishing a new $375 million Clean Energy Fund to capture and store carbon dioxide underground, a measure which critics say will simply encourage the use of CO2-emitting fossil fuels.

In addition, there was no new funding allocated to the ecoENERGY for Renewable Power Program (eRPP), a scheme set up in 2007 to provide production incentives for renewable energy projects. (The equivalent scheme in the US has just been extended by another three years - watch the US benefit at Canada's expense.)

It is estimated that the eRPP will run out of money to support new development by the end of the next fiscal year, according to the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA), which is disappointed that Canada is not keeping up with the rest of the world in supporting renewable energy.

“Between now and 2020, it is projected that $1 trillion will be invested in wind energy globally, creating more than 1.75 million jobs," said Robert Hornung, President of CanWEA.

"If Canada wishes to capture a growing portion of this rapidly expanding global economic opportunity, and is seeking to maximize the economic and environmental benefits of wind energy development, Parliament will need to take actions well beyond anything included in today’s federal budget."

In its "Wind Vision" report, released in October 2008, CanWEA argues that Canada is lagging behind other countries in wind power capacity - it ranks 16th in the world - because it is failing to factor environmental costs into energy costs, making renewable energy less competitive.

CanWEA predicts that an eRPP expansion and extension would have resulted in over $6 billion in new private sector investment into the Canadian economy and created 8,000 new jobs over the next five years. Given a change in priorities by the government, it estimates that by 2025 $125 billion in new investments could be made.

Now doesn't that sound a safer bet than pouring all the country's money into the auto industry?

budget economy wind power renewable energy

Solomon Islanders exchange crops for solar energy

2009-01-27T12:08:00.019-05:00

You could be forgiven for thinking that renewable energy would not be a national priority for a small, developing country such as the Solomon Islands, a small island state in the South Pacific, which has a population of just half a million people and a per capita GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of $1,900 US (source: CIA). Compare this with the US (population 304 million, GDP $48,000), Canada (33 million, $40,200) or the UK (61 million, $37,400); all rich, industrialized and technologically advanced.

Yet the government of the Solomon Islands is well aware of the negative effects that global warming can have - and is already having - on vulnerable island nations, and of the importance of developing a sustainable, renewable energy supply.

The Solomon Islands has traditionally had limited access to energy supplies, and until recently has been dependent primarily on imported fossil fuels, such as gasoline and kerosene, for power.

While the concept of renewable energy is not new to the Solomon Islands (there is already a solar power company and a hydro power centre there), the lack of financial resources among islanders and limited technology have hindered its development.

Now, helped by a venture by the Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC), funded by the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), islanders have the opportunity to make the most of the abundant renewable energy resources naturally available to them, with the installation of solar-powered lighting systems.

A new microfinancing scheme builds on the traditional bartering system already in place in the region, where crops and commodities are traded between islanders. Villagers make a deposit on a solar lighting system, and then grow crops to equal the full value of the payments. The crops are then taken to a cash-for-crops exchange, which repays the banks.

While reducing CO2 emissions is a key priority for the Solomon Islands, renewable energy supplies can also bring other benefits such as self-sufficiency, and islanders have already experienced a boost to employment from the need for technicians to install and maintain the equipment.

Assuming the continued success of the present operation, there are plans to expand the scheme to other communities in the region. Currently 35 properties in three villages are participating.

"The success of the pilot showed that barter is a viable and most needed financial mechanism where access to cash is limited," said REEEP's Eva Oberender.

"Allowing for this innovative approach has the potential to impact many communities. Plans have already been sketched for a new phase."

Hopefully the newly-established IRENA will help bring more schemes like this to developing countries. And maybe more developed countries, such as Canada, can learn a valuable lesson from the Solomon Islanders, who are making renewable energy their top priority - even though the rising sea levels that threaten their homes will not have been caused by them but by the emissions from industrialized developed nations.

To learn more about the project, read Binu Parthan's report on the REEEP website.
See also the National Communication for the Solomon Islands for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC).

solar power renewable energy climate change

US, UK and Canada snub renewable energy treaty

2009-01-26T12:33:00.018-05:00

Some of the world's most powerful nations are refusing to sign a treaty that aims to increase the use of renewable energy worldwide.

The US, UK and Canada, along with Japan, Russia and Australia, have so far rejected the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which will be formally established today in Bonn, Germany. It will focus exclusively on renewable energies and aims to close the gap between their potential and their current use. With an intitial budget of 25 million Euros ($40.2 million CAD), it also aims to provide advice and assistance to developing countries in harnessing their own renewable energy supply.

Approximately 55 countries are expected to sign the founding treaty, including Germany, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark and New Zealand, along with developing nations such as Pakistan, Thailand, Chad and Vietnam.

Germany's Federal Environment Minister, Sigmar Gabriel, said: "Many countries have recognised the opportunities which renewable energies offer for climate protection, security of supply, economic growth and employment. IRENA gives renewables an international voice and political impetus. The Agency will be the global platform for renewable energies."

Sounds good, right? So why not join?

According to the Canadian newspaper Embassy, one of the primary reasons given by Canada for rejecting the treaty is that it already belongs to organizations with the same goals, notably the UN-backed International Energy Agency. The UK and US are also part of the IEA.

However, according to the UK's BusinessGreen.com, agency representatives argue the IEA is more focused on fossil fuels than renewable energy - with just two per cent of its budget given to renewables - and that this was one of the reasons why IRENA was founded in the first place.

Something else that sets IRENA apart from previous organizations is the range of its membership, which encompasses both developed and developing nations. The IEA currently has 28 members, mostly rich European countries; IRENA is starting up with around 55.

"Today's event sends a strong signal for joint action by the global community on an international energy policy which also gives the poorest countries access to clean energy, thus contributing to the alleviation of poverty," said Germany's Federal Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul.

Delegates from 116 countries are taking part in today's events, providing hope that more countries will join IRENA. There are hopes that the US will join once President Obama is more established at the White House - given Obama's vocal endorsement of environmental policies - and the UK is reportedly considering signing, but wants to learn more before commiting.

Compared with countries like Denmark and Germany, Canada has been lagging behind in promoting renewable energy development under the Harper government. Ignoring this chance to be part of such a positive force for change is sadly indicative of the government's present laissez-faire attitude towards the environment.

renewable energy IRENA Obama IEA

Earth Hour 2009 - sign up!

2009-01-25T10:45:00.007-05:00

Remember last year's Earth Hour?

50 million people in more than 35 countries worldwide switched off their lights for one hour to save energy and send the global message that united environmental action is possible and makes a difference.

In 2009 over 64 countries and territories are participating in Earth Hour, with a series of iconic landmarks - including the CN Tower in Toronto, Moscow's Federation Tower and the Sydney Opera House - also turning off their lights for the occasion.

Mark your calendars: 8:30 p.m., Saturday 28 March 2009.

To find out more about Earth Hour, to sign up, or to receive tips to help you or your organization get more involved, visit http://www.earthhour.org/.
Earth Hour energy

Canada - not waving, but drowning

2009-01-24T14:42:00.024-05:00

When it comes to renewable energy, it seems Canada has a fair way to go. It's only logical that you should use what you have most of, and with its vast coastline, Canada has a huge, predominantly untapped energy source - tidal and wave energy.

According to Industry Canada, the annual potential wave power off Canada's Pacific Coast is approximately 37,000 MW (megawatts), while that along the Atlantic Coast is roughly 146,500 MW. In addition, the potential tidal energy resource in Canada has been estimated to exceed 42,000 MW. That's a total of 225,500 MW.

Recently released data from Statistics Canada showed that Canada's use of natural gas, refined petroleum products and coal rose seven per cent from 2006 - 2007, while production of energy from wind, solar and tidal sources accounted for less than 0.5 per cent of total electricity generation.

Meanwhile, Scotland is stepping up its efforts to become a world leader in renewable energy, with the construction of its first commercial wave farm on the Isle of Lewis, in the Western Isles. The 4 MW wave farm will have the initial capacity to power around 1,800 homes.

The Scottish government's energy consents unit is currently processing 30 renewable energy project applications, with the aim of meeting 50 per cent of electricity demand from renewables by 2020, and 31 per cent by 2011.

"We want the Scottish Climate Change Bill to set tough targets to drive Scotland towards a low-carbon economy and clean, green energy will be an important part of that transition," said Dr. Richard Dixon, Director of WWF Scotland.

“Scotland is a world leader on exploiting wave power and continued support for these green energy schemes will deliver huge export benefits in technology and expertise."

It may be a difficult energy source to commercialize, and the financial costs may currently be high but maybe Canada should step up its own investment in wave and tidal technology. If a 4 MW wave farm can power 1,800 homes, then theoretically, Canada's potential 225,500 MW of energy could power (deep breath)...

101,475,000 homes.

wave power renewable energy climate change WWF

Welcome to Greened!

2009-01-24T12:14:00.010-05:00

I have always been interested in our planet. At school, geography was one of my favourite subjects (until it stopped being about rainforest animals and became all about weather and statistics). In geography lessons at age 10, when given a map and asked to label "as much as you can," I was the only child who labelled the Novaya Zemlya archipelago.

I freely admit to being a "lazy environmentalist". I have brief bouts of action, followed by long periods of inactivity. I agree with environmental policies and watch David Suzuki and David Attenborough documentaries with fervour, but then usually forget to take my canvas bags to the supermarket. I recycle, but I don't grow my own organic vegetables (although, in my defence, I don't actually have a garden). I don't have a car, but I do let people give me lifts in theirs.

I do believe that something needs to be done about the environment. And I think that governments really need to wake up and follow some of the shining environmental examples around the world, in places such as Denmark, where they harness the wind for the bulk of their energy requirements, and Spain, where they take advantage of the natural power of the sun.

The steps we can take as individuals are a great start. But we really need a shift in attitude in North America in particular to bring us out of the dark ages of fossil fuel dependence and reliance on SUVs and into a brighter, cleaner future of renewable energy resources, public transport and gas-free vehicles. The Canadian and U.S. governments have to do more.

We need to sit up and take note of countries where they are trying not just to be environmentally friendly, but also to improve the quality of their lives. It's not about being green for the sake of it. It's realising that green is the better way to go.

Thanks for visiting!

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Daisy

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