Most carmakers must further improve carbon efficiency by 2015

EEA, December 20, 2011

Several carmakers need to make their fleets even more carbon-efficient in order to meet 2012 carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions target, according to updated data published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA). The data also show that almost all manufacturers must reduce emissions to meet 2015 targets under European legislation for new passenger cars, based on average CO2 emissions for each manufacturer. Read more...

Distance to 2012 target by individual manufacturers in 2010. The size of the bubble is proportional to the number of vehicles registered in Europe.

Frankincense May Be Doomed

ENN, December 23, 2011

Frankincense has a long history as an ingredient in incense and perfumes, with references dating back to ancient Egypt. In the Bible, the Magi brought the fragrant resin as a gift to the baby Jesus, along with gold and myrrh -- and it remains part of the classic Christmas story. But frankincense, whose smell is sometimes described as sweet or spicy with a mix of lemon and pine, will soon become only a relic of the past if nothing is done to protect the trees that produce it, according to a new study. Read more...

Texas drought kills as many as half a billion trees

ENN, December 21, 2011

The massive drought that has dried out Texas over the past year has killed as many as half a billion trees, according to new estimates from the Texas Forest Service.
"In 2011, Texas experienced an exceptional drought, prolonged high winds, and record-setting temperatures," Forest Service Sustainable Forestry chief Burl Carraway told Reuters on Tuesday. "Together, those conditions took a severe toll on trees across the state." He said that between 100 million and 500 million trees were lost. The tree loss is in both urban and rural areas and represents as much as 10 percent of all the trees in the state, Carraway said. Read more...

Three-quarters of English Channel sea birds contain toxic levels of plastic

ENN, December 05, 2011

Data from studies monitoring the amount of consumer plastic eaten by sea birds suggest that levels in the North Sea are well above targets... and the figures are rising. For the most recent monitoring period, the target amount was exceeded in well over half the birds studied, with the English Channel being the worst affected region with 74% of birds over the threshold. Read more...

Coke Pulls Polar Bear Cans after Customer Confusion

Environmental Leader, December 05, 2011

Coca-Cola has been forced to re-design cans meant to highlight its partnership with the World Wildlife Fund, after customers complained that the cans looked too much like those for Diet Coke. Coke unveiled the white cans emblazoned with silver polar bears on November 1, as it launched Arctic Home, a commitment of $2 million to WWF efforts to protect polar bear habitats. Coke also asked U.S. consumers to text in $1 donations, and pledged to match their gifts up to a total of $1 million.
But it was also the first time Coke changed the color of the can to support a cause, and the move appears to have backfired, with drinkers of Diet Coke – including diabetics – complaining that they bought the real thing instead, Time reports. Read more...

Industrial air pollution cost Europe up to €169 billion in 2009, EEA reveals

EEA, November 24, 2011

Air pollution from the 10,000 largest polluting facilities in Europe cost citizens between € 102 and 169 billion in 2009. This was one of the findings of a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA) which analysed the costs of harm to health and the environment caused by air pollution. Half of the total damage cost (between € 51 and 85 billion) was caused by just 191 facilities. Read more...

Bathtub-sized marine sponge rediscovered after a century of extinction

ENN, November 23, 2011

Not found alive for over a century the evocatively named Neptune's cup sponge (Cliona patera) has been rediscovered off the shores of Singapore. Researchers with the environmental consulting DHI Group found the species during a routine dive. Although the specimen they found was small, the goblet-shaped sponge can reach nearly 5 feet (1.5 meters) high and the same in diameter. Read more...

The Social Dimension of Biodiversity Policy

EU, November 23, 2011

A new EU-commissioned report has investigated the social value of biodiversity conservation, particularly in terms of its links to employment. It estimates that 35% of jobs in developing countries and 7% of jobs in the EU are dependent on ecosystem services. The value of biodiversity and its related ecosystems is becoming increasingly recognised in policy. Biodiversity is important in supporting vital ecosystem services (ES) such as provision of clean water, but can also provide social benefits, such as improved employment. The report focussed on the impact of biodiversity on employment and the value of biodiversity and the services provided for vulnerable rural people. Read the report...

Ορφανά αρκουδάκια στον δρόμο της επανένταξης στο φυσικό περιβάλλον

In.gr, 18 Νοεμβρίου 2011

Έμειναν ορφανά από πολύ μικρή ηλικία και βρέθηκαν φοβισμένα και σε κακή κατάσταση σε περιοχές του Άργους Ορεστικού και των Τρικάλων. «Υιοθετήθηκαν» από τον Αρκτούρο και τώρα πλέον, έχουν φτάσει να ζυγίζουν 40 κιλά έκαστο, αφού τρώνε με... άγρια όρεξη μεγάλες ποσότητες από καρύδια, κάστανα, βελανίδια και φρούτα.
Ο λόγος για δύο αρκουδάκια, που είχαν εντοπισθεί, τον περασμένο Απρίλιο, σε ηλικία μόλις δύο μηνών και έκτοτε εντάχθηκαν σε πιλοτικό πρόγραμμα επανένταξης του Αρκτούρου, σε ειδικές εγκαταστάσεις στη Φλώρινα. Διαβάστε περισσότερα...

Warming Revives Dream of Sea Route in Russian Arctic

The New York Times, October 17, 2011

ARKHANGELSK, Russia — Rounding the northernmost tip of Russia in his oceangoing tugboat this summer, Capt. Vladimir V. Bozanov saw plenty of walruses, some pods of beluga whales and in the distance a few icebergs. With an icebreaker leading the way, the Vladimir Tikhonov, carrying gas condensate, passed Cape Dezhnev in late August.
One thing Captain Bozanov did not encounter while towing an industrial barge 2,300 miles across the Arctic Ocean was solid ice blocking his path anywhere along the route. Ten years ago, he said, an ice-free passage, even at the peak of summer, was exceptionally rare.But environmental scientists say there is now no doubt that global warming is shrinking the Arctic ice pack, opening new sea lanes and making the few previously navigable routes near shore accessible more months of the year. And whatever the grim environmental repercussions of greenhouse gas, companies in Russia and other countries around the Arctic Ocean are mining that dark cloud’s silver lining by finding new opportunities for commerce and trade.Read more...

Is the environmental crisis caused by the 7 billion or the 1%?

Grist, November 1, 2011

The world population surpassed 7 billion yesterday. But how much does that matter? Ian Angus and Simon Butler argue that the richest 1% are the real problem. Dave Foreman, on the other hand, contends that all people pose a threat to wild animals and ecosystems. Also: Bill McKibben weighs in on climate and population, and Roger Martin questions the ethics of having more than two kids.

Javan rhino driven to extinction in Vietnam

ENN, October 25, 2011

WWF and the International Rhino Foundation (IRF) have confirmed that the Javan rhinoceros has been driven to extinction in Vietnam. The last known Javan rhino was found dead in the Cat Tien National Park in April 2010. It is thought that the last Javan rhino in Vietnam was a victim of poaching, as it was found with a bullet in its leg and its horn removed. The upsetting findings are presented in a new WWF report, 'Extinction of Javan Rhino from Vietnam'. Read more...

Belgium to Completely Phase Out Nuclear Power by 2025

ENN, November 2, 2011

The small western-European country of Belgium currently has two commercial nuclear sites and a total of seven reactors. Nuclear energy accounts for over half of the nation's power consumption, a total of about 45 billion kilowatt-hours per year. Although typically quite fractured, Belgium's political parties have reached a consensus on nuclear power. The oldest reactors are to be shut down by 2015 and all nuclear reactors at both sites will be shut down by 2025. The plan is conditional on Belgium finding enough energy from alternative sources to prevent power shortages. Read more...

«Μεταλλαγμένα» κουνούπια απελευθερώθηκαν για πρώτη φορά στη φύση

In.gr, 31 Οκτωβρίου 2011

Κουνούπια που είχαν τροποποιηθεί γενετικά στο εργαστήριο απελευθερώθηκαν για πρώτη φορά στο φυσικό περιβάλλον, στο πλαίσιο μελέτης μικρής κλίμακας για την καταπολέμηση του δάγγειου πυρετού στην Καραϊβική. Τα αποτελέσματα δείχνουν ότι η προσέγγιση αυτή μπορεί πράγματι να μειώνει τους πληθυσμούς των επικίνδυνων εντόμων. Όπως και η ελονοσία, ο δάγγειος πυρετός μεταδίδεται από τα τσιμπήματα μολυσμένων κουνουπιών -συνήθως κουνούπια του είδους Aedes aegypti, το οποίο απαντάται και στην Ελλάδα. Διαβάστε περισσότερα...

Προστατευόμενες περιοχές μένουν... απροστάτευτες

Καθημερινή, 24 Οκτωβρίου 2011

λήθεια, πόσο προστατεύονται οι «προστατευόμενες» περιοχές; Η πρώτη ολοκληρωμένη αποτίμηση των 10 ετών λειτουργίας των φορέων διαχείρισης προστατευόμενων περιοχών αποκαλύπτει τον επιδερμικό και αποσπασματικό τρόπο με τον οποίο όλα αυτά τα χρόνια η πολιτεία αντιμετωπίζει μια από τις στοιχειώδεις υποχρεώσεις της για το περιβάλλον. Βασικά προβλήματα που αναδεικνύει η έκθεση της επιτροπής «Φύση 2000» είναι η απουσία φύλαξης των περιοχών, η έλλειψη σταθερής χρηματοδότησης και η ασυνέχεια των κρατικών πολιτικών. Διαβάστε περισσότερα...

Chain hotels beat independent rivals to go green

ENN, October 25, 2011

Chain hotels are doing a better job of going green than their independent competitors, according to a new analysis by Washington State University researchers. The study, which started as an undergraduate honors project, found chain hotels are more likely to use energy efficient light bulbs; train staff to turn off lights, heaters and air conditioning in unoccupied rooms; buy in bulk to reduce packaging; use safer cleaners and chemicals; and give guests tips on how to save water and energy. Read more...

Calcutta leads world city list most at risk from climate change

ENN, October 26, 2011

A major new mapping study, analysing climate change vulnerability down to 25km² worldwide, has revealed some of the world's fastest growing populations are increasingly at risk from the impacts of climate related natural hazards and sea level rise. Many of the countries with the fastest population growth are rated as 'extreme risk' in the Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI) released by risk analysis and mapping firm Maplecroft. These include the strategically important emerging economies of Bangladesh (2nd), Philippines (10th), Viet Nam (23rd), Indonesia (27th) and India (28th). Read more...

Companies call for tougher climate action

BBC News, October 21, 2011

Leaders of nearly 200 major companies around the world have called for tougher action on climate change.

The 2C Challenge, co-ordinated by the Prince of Wales Corporate Leaders Group, says that climate change puts society's future prosperity at risk. But the window to keep global warming below 2C has "almost closed", it warns. Companies signing up include UK retailer Tesco, energy provider EDF, electronics company Philips, chemicals giant Unilever, eBay and Rolls-Royce. Read more...

Swiss to shut down nuclear power plants by 2034

EurActiv.com, September 30, 2011


The Swiss Senate's endorsement yesterday (28 September) follows a June vote by the lower chamber to back the gradual shutdown of nuclear energy plants recommended in May by the government, which has frozen plans for a new construction programme in the wake of the Fukushima atomic plant explosion.
Switzerland is following in Germany's footsteps, which decided in May that it will shut all its nuclear reactors by 2022. The Swiss government estimates that phasing out nuclear power in the Alpine country would cost up to SFr3.8 billion (€3.1 billion). Read more...

Το Παρίσι μπαίνει στην... πρίζα

ΤΑ ΝΕΑ, 3 Οκτωβρίου 2011

Τέσσερα χρόνια αφότου λάνσαρε το Velolib, την πρωτοποριακή υπηρεσία ενοικίασης ποδηλάτων, το Παρίσι έθεσε χθες δοκιμαστικά σε εφαρμογή ακόμα ένα πιο φιλόδοξο πρόγραμμα, το Autolib, μια υπηρεσία ενοικίασης ηλεκτρικών αυτοκινήτων. Το στοίχημα, μεγάλο και επικίνδυνο τόσο για τον σοσιαλιστή δήμαρχο της πόλης Μπερτράν Ντελανοέ όσο και τον συνέταιρό του στο εγχείρημα, τον μεγαλοεπιχειρηματία - και προσωπικό φίλο του Νικολά Σαρκοζί - Βενσάν Μπολορέ. Διαβάστε περισσότερα...

Εγκαινιάστηκε το φωτοβολταϊκό πάρκο του Αερολιμένα Αθηνών

Skai.gr, 28 Σεπτεμβρίου 2011

Εγκαινιάστηκε σήμερα, Πέμπτη, το φωτοβολταϊκό πάρκο του Αερολιμένα Αθηνών. Είκοσι οκτώ χιλιάδες φωτοβολταϊκά στοιχεία σε μια έκταση 160 στρεμμάτων θα εξασφαλίζουν το 9% της ενεργειακής ζήτησης του αεροδρομίου. Η συνολική ισχύς του είναι οκτώ μέγκα βαττ και θα παράγει κάθε χρόνο περίπου 11 εκατομμύρια κιλοβατώρες ηλεκτρικές ενέργειας, ποσότητα που αντιστοιχεί στην ετήσια κατανάλωση ηλεκτρικού ρεύματος 3.000 χιλιάδων κατοικιών.Διαβάστε περισσότερα...

Οι ποδηλάτες στις πόλεις «κινδυνεύουν από την εισπνοή αιθάλης»

In.gr, 25 Σεπτεμβρίου 2011

Οι ποδηλάτες στις μεγάλες πόλεις εμφανίζουν αυξημένα επίπεδα αιθάλης στους πνεύμονες και ενδέχεται να αντιμετωπίζουν υψηλότερο κίνδυνο αναπνευστικών προβλημάτων, προειδοποιούν ερευνητές στη Βρετανία. To φαινόμενο «μπορεί να οφείλεται σε έναν αριθμό παραγόντων, όπως το γεγονός ότι οι ποδηλάτες αναπνέουν πιο βαθιά και πιο γρήγορα σε σχέση με τους πεζούς και βρίσκονται πιο κοντά στις εξατμίσεις των οχημάτων» αναφέρουν οι ερευνητές της Ιατρικής Σχολής του Λονδίνου. Διαβάστε περισσότερα...

Largest dam removal in U.S. history begins in Washington

ENN, September 19, 2011


As a child, Adeline Smith, an elder in the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe who grew up along the Elwha River, saw how a hulking concrete dam choked off one of the most prolific salmon runs on earth. [..] Some 25 years later, Smith and 100 tribal members joined Washington Governor Chris Gregoire and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to watch as the first concrete was scooped away from the Elwha Dam over the weekend as part of the largest dam removal in U.S. history. Read more...

ENN, September 14, 2011


Millions of people across the Horn of Africa are suffering under a crippling regional drought and tens of thousands have died during the accompanying famine. Refuge camps in Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia are swelling with the hungry. The best hope in the short-term is food aid and logistical support, but in the longer term, dryland reforestation efforts may help improve food security, argues a new report from the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), which links human-caused land degradation, including deforestation, to intensified drought. Read more...

Read also: Converting rainforest to cropland in Africa reduces rainfall

Άγνωστο είδος δελφινιού κρυβόταν «κάτω από τη μύτη» των βιολόγων

In.gr, 15 Σεπτεμβρίου 2011

Τα περίπου 200 δελφίνια που ζουν σε έναν κόλπο και σε κάποιες λιμνοθάλασσες της Αυστραλίας μπορούν τώρα να πηδούν από τη χαρά τους: Γενετικές και ανατομικές συγκρίσεις αποκαλύπτουν ότι το θαλάσσιο θηλαστικό δεν είναι αυτό που νομίζαμε και πρέπει να αναγνωριστεί ως νέο είδος ρινοδέλφινου.
«Είναι μια απίστευτα συναρπαστική ανακάλυψη καθώς μόνο τρία είδη δελφινιού έχουν περιγραφεί και αναγνωριστεί επίσημα από τα τέλη του 19ου αιώνα» σχολίασε η Κέιτ Τσάρλτον-Ρομπ, επικεφαλής της ερευνητικής ομάδας στο Πανεπιστήμιο Μonash της Αυστραλίας. Διαβάστε περισσότερα...

Court ruling challenges EU laws on GMO co-existence

EurActiv.com, September 07, 2011

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled yesterday (6 September) that honey containing traces of genetically-modified (GM) products, even unintentionally, "must always be regarded as food produced from a GMO," paving the way for compensation claims to farmers whose crops were contaminated.The judgement follows legal action by a German beekeeper who sought compensation from the Bavarian government after he was prevented from selling his honey because it contained traces of GM pollen. Read more...

Amazon Deforesting Result

ENN, September 06, 2011

62 percent of the area deforested in the Brazilian Amazon until 2008 is occupied by cattle pasture, reports a new satellite-based analysis by Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE) and its Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa). The research found that 719,000 square kilometers or 17.5 percent of the Brazil had been cleared by 2008. Read more...

River Otters Bounce Back in England

ΕΝΝ, August 18, 2011

The otter population in the England was dealt a serious blow in the 20th century. Around mid-century, environmentalists noticed the otter was disappearing from its natural river habitats. A study in the 1970s found that they could only be found in five percent of the sites where they once lived. The banning of certain pesticides and river cleanup programs turned around the otter's decline. A recent survey now shows the otter is back, inhabiting 60 percent of the roughly 3,000 locations they were once found. Read more...

13-Year-Old Makes Solar Power Breakthrough by Harnessing the Fibonacci Sequence

Inhabitat.com, August 19, 2011

While most 13-year-olds spend their free time playing video games or cruising Facebook, one 7th grader was trekking through the woods uncovering a mystery of science. After studying how trees branch in a very specific way, Aidan Dwyer created a solar cell tree that produces 20-50% more power than a uniform array of photovoltaic panels. His impressive results show that using a specific formula for distributing solar cells can drastically improve energy generation. The study earned Aidan a provisional U.S patent - it's a rare find in the field of technology and a fantastic example of how biomimicry can drastically improve design. Read more...

Mekong dolphins on brink of extinction

ENN, August 18, 2011


The population of Irrawaddy dolphins in the Mekong River numbers just 85 individuals and may be on the brink of extinction, according to research by WWF. The researchers also found that calf survival was very low and that the overall population is in decline. A small population living on the border of Cambodia and Lao People's Democratic Republic may be in an even more perilous situation, with just 7 or 8 individuals. This is the only area in Lao PDR where dolphins remain. Read more...

Shell admits Nigeria liability

BBC News, August 12, 2011

Oil giant Shell has accepted responsibility for two devastating oil spills in Nigeria's Ogoniland region.

The Bodo fishing community sued Shell in the UK, alleging that spills in 2008 and 2009 had destroyed the environment and ruined their livelihoods. Their lawyer said they would seek hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for one of the world's "most devastating oil spills". Read more...

Not your grandma’s strawberries

Grist, August 09, 2011

Your fruits and veggies are less nutritious than they used to be -- find out how much less with this handy interactive infographic. Plus: Check out an infographic illustrating how empty calories are cheaper than nutritious ones. Read more...

Third of freshwater fish threatened with extinction

ENN, August 2, 2011

More than a third of freshwater fish are threatened with extinction, according to interim results from an IUCN Red List assessment. The preliminary results, revealed by scientists at the annual conference of the Fisheries Society of the British Isles at Bournemouth University, suggest that along with amphibians, freshwater fish may now be considered one of the most threatened groups of species in the world. Read more...

Lamb, beef and cheese have largest food footprint

The Ecologist, July 27, 2011

US analysis highlights the high greenhouse gas emissions of popular animal products in comparison to alternatives like lentils, rice and tomatoes. 

Food derived from methane-generating ruminant animals such as sheep and cows has the highest level of greenhouse gas emissions, according to research published in the US.  The research, commissioned by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), was based on emissions from everything from the fertilisers used to grow animal feed to the processing and cooking of the final product. Read more...

Carmakers to get carbon credits for 'eco-innovation'

EurActiv.com, July 26, 2011

Car manufacturers will receive CO2 emissions credits if their new cars are fitted with approved 'eco-innovations' under legislation adopted by the European Commission yesterday (25 July).

The credits, for innovations that reduce carbon emissions, will be usable within the EU's emissions trading scheme (ETS). Brussels hopes that the move will nudge the automobile industry towards meeting the Union's goal of limiting CO2 emissions from new cars to an average of 130 grams/km by 2015, around one fifth below 2007 levels. Read more...

Recession contributes to air pollutant emissions decrease in 2009

EEA, July 27, 2011

Emissions of almost all main air pollutants fell across the EU-27 in 2009, according to the latest annual European Union air pollutant emission inventory report compiled by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Some pollutants decreased significantly compared to the previous year, with analysis showing economic recession to be an important factor in this reduction. The drop was most evident for sulphur oxides (SOx), with emissions falling by 21 % between 2008 and 2009. The annual EU-27 emission inventory reported to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP) Convention confirms a long-term trend of decline for most air pollutants.

Sulphur oxide (SO_x) emissions have fallen the most since 1990 (–80 %), followed by carbon monoxide (CO) (–62 %), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) (–55 %) and nitrogen oxides (NO_x)(–44 %). Read more...

Maritime countries agree first ever shipping emissions regulation

The Guardian, July 18, 2011


Countries have taken a first step towards reducing climate emissions from shipping with a global agreement to reduce energy use in new vessels from 2013 onwards. The belated action on Friday by 55 of the world's biggest sea-faring nations meeting at UN's international maritime organisation in London will force all ships over 400 tonnes built after 2013 to improve their efficiency by 10%, rising to 20% between 2020 and 2024 and 30% for ships delivered after 2024. The first ever regulation of emissions in shipping is expected to lead to greenhouse gas emission reductions of 45-50m tonnes a year by 2020. Read more...

Walgreens to Host 800 EV Charge Points; GM to Launch Smart Grid Pilot

Environmental Leader, July 22, 2011

Pharmacy chain Walgreens plans to offer electric vehicle charging stations at about 800 locations across the country by the end of the year, making it the nation’s largest charging station retail host.
In other electric vehicle news, General Motors and OnStar will this year launch what they say is the first real-world pilot of smart grid solutions for electric vehicles.
Read more...

EU revamps fishing policy to save depleted stocks

BBC News, July 13, 2011

The European Commission has unveiled major plans to reform the EU's fishing industry and stop catches being wasted. The proposal, due to take effect from 2013, would give fleets quota shares guaranteed for at least 15 years. "Discards" will be phased out - the practice whereby up to half the catch of some fish is thrown back into the sea to avoid going above the quota. The environmental group Oceana said the plan had "some positive" aspects but stronger measures were needed. It called the plan "an incomplete work that does not provide the urgently needed strong solutions to restore European seas and ensure the long-term sustainability of fishing". Read more...

Can the palm oil we eat ever be wildlife-friendly?

The Ecologist, July 12, 2011

Conservationists battling to save Indonesia's rainforests are locked in a dispute over moves to make oil palm plantations more wildlife-friendly. Tom Levitt reports. Read more...

Soil Microbes Accelerate Global Warming

ENN, July 13, 2011


ScienceDaily (July 13, 2011) — More carbon dioxide in the atmosphere causes soil to release the potent greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide, new research published in this week's edition of Nature reveals. "This feedback to our changing atmosphere means that nature is not as efficient in slowing global warming as we previously thought," said Dr Kees Jan van Groenigen, Research Fellow at the Botany department at the School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, and lead author of the study. Read more...

Lego Drops APP Packaging After Greenpeace Campaign

Environmental Leader, July 15, 2011

Lego has bowed to pressure from Greenpeace, reportedly agreeing to drop supplier Asia Pulp and Paper, and the toy company says it will only use packaging material certified by the Forest Stewardship Council from now on. The environmental group last month accused Lego, Hasbro, Mattel and Disney of using packaging material sourced from trees cleared out of the Indonesian rainforest. Greenpeace pressed all the toy companies to stop buying paper products from APP – which the group called the worst forest offender in Indonesia – and any companies connected to APP. The non-profit also called on the companies to implement new sustainable procurement policies for purchase of all pulp and paper products. Read more...

France nuclear power funding gets 1bn euro boost

BBC News, June 27, 2011


France will invest 1bn euros (£0.8bn) in nuclear power despite warnings after the Fukushima disaster in Japan, President Nicolas Sarkozy says.The new investment will include a boost for research into nuclear safety. The French nuclear giant Areva is developing the fourth generation of reactors. France gets 80% of its electricity from nuclear power. Read more...

New Zealand right whale is returning home!

ENN, June 27, 2011

After being hunted to local extinction more than a century ago and unable to remember their ancestral calving grounds, the southern right whales of mainland New Zealand are coming home. A new study published today has shown for the first time that whales from a small surviving population around remote, sub-Antarctic islands have found their way back to the New Zealand mainland. Before the onslaught of 19th century whaling, historical records suggest that up to 30,000 of these impressive whales once migrated each winter to New Zealand's many sandy, well-protected bays to give birth and raise their calves. Read more...

Life Cycle Assessment of EVs Reveals Startling Results

TriplePundit, June 22, 2011


A number of articles published this week paint a negative picture of electric cars based on a British study published earlier this month. The study attempts a comparative life-cycle assessment (LCA) of conventional, hybrid and electric cars and prompted “downer” headlines such as, “Electric Cars May Not Be So Green After All” and “More Bad News For The Chevy Volt.”. The report was undertaken by consulting company, Ricardo and was released by the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership on June 8th. And contrary to the above headlines, the press release was considerably more upbeat, stating: “Electric and hybrid cars create more carbon emissions during their production than standard vehicles – but are still greener overall”. Read more...

O όρυξ ο αραβικός επιστρέφει από το χείλος της εξαφάνισης

In.gr, 16 Ιουνίου 2011

Ο όρυξ της Αραβίας, ένα είδος αντιλόπης που πιστεύεται ότι ενέπνευσε τον μύθο του μονόκερου, έγινε ένα από τα λιγοστά ζώα που ανακάμπτουν στη φύση έπειτα από το σχεδόν ολοκληρωτικό αποδεκατισμό τους από τον άνθρωπο. Η IUCN (Διεθνής Ένωση για τη Διατήρηση της Φύσης), ο οργανισμός που εκδίδει την επίσημη Κόκκινη Λίστα των απειλούμενων ειδών, ανακοίνωσε την Πέμπτη ότι ο όρυξ μεταφέρεται από τη λίστα των «απειλούμενων» ειδών στη λίστα των «ευάλωτων». Η επιστροφή της θαυμαστής αντιλόπης στην Αραβική Χερσόνησο είναι το αποτέλεσμα ενός προγράμματος εκτροφής της σε αιχμαλωσία. Διαβάστε περισσότερα...

Recession and renewables cut greenhouse emissions in 2009

EEA, May 31, 2011

Greenhouse gas emissions decreased very sharply in 2009, by 7.1 % in the EU-27 and 6.9 % in the EU-15. These most recent results, compiled by the European Environment Agency (EEA), confirm estimates made by the EEA last year. This decrease was largely the result of the economic recession of 2009, but also sustained strong growth in renewable energy.Read more...

The 10 deadliest cities for pedestrians in the United States

Grist.org, May 24, 2011

Streets in the U.S. are designed not for people, but for cars. And it shows. From 2000 through 2009, some 47,700 pedestrians were killed by drivers. Transportation for America has released a new report and interactive map that shows which metro areas are deadliest. Read more...

On-line παιχνίδι ενεργειακής εξοικονόμησης

H ΚΑΘΗΜΕΡΙΝΗ, 21 Μαΐου 2011


Ποιος είναι ο καλύτερος τρόπος να αλλάξoυμε τις «κακές» συνήθειες των παιδιών; Το παιχνίδι, φυσικά! Δεδομένου, μάλιστα, ότι τα δημοφιλέστερα παιχνίδια είναι πλέον τα ηλεκτρονικά, καταλαβαίνουμε, πώς το διαδικτυακό παιχνίδι enercities κέρδισε τις καρδιές πολλών μαθητών. Η διαδικτυακή εκπαιδευτική πύλη enercities πρόκειται για ένα παιχνίδι που απευθύνεται σε παιδιά με στόχο να τους μυήσει στα μυστικά της αειφόρου ανάπτυξης. To ζητούμενο είναι οι παίκτες να οικοδομήσουν μια βιώσιμη πόλη, προκειμένου να ανέβουν επίπεδα δυσκολίας, να συλλέξουν πόντους και εν τέλει να κερδίσουν! Διαβάστε περισσότερα...