New renewables to power 40 per cent of global electricity demand by 2050

ENN, March 11, 2009

With global cooperation and investment, renewables’ share will exceed all previous estimates
With adequate financial and political support, renewable energy technologies like wind and photovoltaics could supply 40 percent of the world's electricity by 2050, according to findings from the International Scientific Congress "Climate Change: Global Risks, Challenges & Decisions." However, if such technologies are marginalized, its share is likely to hover below 15 percent. Read more...

Ώρα της Γης - Πρώτη στον κόσμο η Ελλάδα!

WWF, 18 Μαρτίου 2009

Η Ελλάδα κατακτά μια παγκόσμια πρωτιά στον αγώνα ενάντια στην κλιματική αλλαγή, με την εντυπωσιακή συμμετοχή της στην Ώρα της Γης. Το δυναμικό «παρών» περισσότερων από 270 Δήμων και κοινοτήτων μας δίνει την πρώτη θέση παγκοσμίως μεταξύ των χωρών με την εντονότερη συμμετοχή στη μεγαλύτερη συμβολική δράση κατά της υπερθέρμανσης του πλανήτη που διοργανώθηκε ποτέ. Με αυτόν τον τρόπο, η Ελλάδα καταφέρνει να ξεπεράσει ακόμη και τους Αυστραλούς, τους εμπνευστές της πρωτοβουλίας της Ώρας της Γης, οι οποίοι «βρέθηκαν» στην τρίτη θέση πίσω από τον δεύτερο Καναδά. Διαβάστε περισσότερα...

ΣΗΜΕΙΩΣΗ ΔΙΑΧΕΙΡΙΣΤΗ:

Μαζεύθηκαν οι Αλεξανδρινοί

να δουν της Κλεοπάτρας τα παιδιά,τον Καισαρίωνα,

και τα μικρά του αδέρφια,Αλέξανδρο και Πτολεμαίο,

που πρώτη φορά τα βγάζαν έξω στο Γυμνάσιο,

εκεί να τα κηρύξουν βασιλείς,

μες στη λαμπρή παράταξη των στρατιωτών.

Ο Αλέξανδρος -- τον είπαν βασιλέα

της Αρμενίας, της Μηδίας, και των Πάρθων.

Ο Πτολεμαίος -- τον είπαν βασιλέα

της Κιλικίας, της Συρίας, και της Φοινίκης.

Ο Καισαρίων στέκονταν πιο εμπροστά,

ντυμένος σε μετάξι τριανταφυλλί,

στο στήθος του ανθοδέσμη από υακίνθους,

η ζώνη του διπλή σειρά σαπφείρων κι αμεθύστων,

δεμένα τα ποδήματά του μ' άσπρες

κορδέλλες κεντημένες με ροδόχροα μαργαριτάρια.

Αυτόν τον είπαν πιότερο από τους μικρούς,

αυτόν τον είπαν Βασιλέα των Βασιλέων.

Οι Αλεξανδρινοί έννοιωθαν βέβαια

που ήσαν λόγια αυτά και θεατρικά.

Αλλά η μέρα ήταν ζεστή και ποιητική,

ο ουρανός ένα γαλάζιο ανοιχτό,

το Αλεξανδρινό Γυμνάσιον ένα

θριαμβικό κατόρθωμα της τέχνης,

των αυλικών η πολυτέλεια έκτακτη,

ο Καισαρίων όλο χάρις κ' εμορφιά

(της Κλεοπάτρας υιός, αίμα των Λαγιδών)·

κ' οι Αλεξανδρινοί έτρεχαν πια στην εορτή,

κ' ενθουσιάζονταν, κ' επευφημούσαν

ελληνικά, κ' αιγυπτιακά, και ποιοί εβραίικα,

γοητευμένοι με τ' ωραίο θέαμα

--μ' όλο που βέβαια ήξευραν τι άξιζαν αυτά,

τι κούφια λόγια ήσανε αυτές οι βασιλείες.

Κωνσταντίνος Π. Καβάφης (1912)

Conservationists deciding which species to survive

New Scietist, March 08, 2009

WOULD the animal have made it into the ark? That's the kind of question conservationists have been asking when it comes to the thorny issue of picking which threatened species to save.
Kerstin Zander of the Charles Darwin University in Darwin, Australia, and her colleagues looked at conserving cattle - the species with the most number of breeds to have gone extinct. They turned to an approach first outlined by economist Martin Weitzman at Harvard University. In the 1990s, Weitzman devised a formula for prioritising species for conservation. This considers the cost of saving a species, how useful or genetically diverse it is, and the increase in its chance of survival if chosen. Read more...

Parks that can move when the animals do

ENN, March 05, 2009

When scientist Dee Boersma first arrived to Punta Tombo, Argentina, in the early 1980s, the colony of Magellanic penguins there was 300,000 breeding pairs strong. Since then, they’ve declined by more than 20 percent. Dr. Boersma faults competition from fishermen, pollution in the form of oil dumped at sea, and climate change for the decline.
But while the Punta Tombo colony is shrinking, others farther north are growing. The penguins’ shifting range underscores how climate change isn’t always a drop-dead-from-the-heat affair. And it raises questions about how to protect threatened — and mobile — marine species as they adjust. Read more...

Άλλη μία αρκούδα νεκρή από σφαίρα πυροβόλου

TA NEA, 10 Μαρτίου 2009

ΝΕΚΡΗ, ΧΤΥΠΗΜΕΝΗ από πυροβόλο όπλο μέσα στο προστατευμένο εθνικό πάρκο της Βόρειας Πίνδου, βρέθηκε νεαρή αρκούδα. Το νέο περιστατικό θανάτωσης αρκούδας από ανθρώπινο χέρι σημειώθηκε στο Δημοτικό Διαμέρισμα Βοτονοσίου του Δήμου Μετσόβου, και μάλιστα στο τέλος της χειμερινής περιόδου- φαινόμενο ασυνήθιστο. Πρόκειται για το εικοστό περιστατικό θανάτωσης αρκούδας στην ευρύτερη περιοχή της Πίνδου από πέρσι το καλοκαίρι. Διαβάστε περισσότερα...

The waste trade – legal and illegal

EEA, March 04, 2009

A new EEA report 'Waste without borders in the EU' examines the increase in cross-border waste shipments and the drivers behind them. It also reveals that the number of reported illegal shipments of waste is increasing. But while the European Union can do better in tracking electronic waste as well as other hazardous and problematic "waste streams", almost all waste generated in the EU that needs to be disposed is in fact disposed within EU borders. The new EEA report is published in the week that European Ministers for the Environment discussed plans to support waste management and recycling industries. Read more...

Ministers back right to refuse GM crop cultivation

EuraActiv, March 03, 2009

Attempts by the European Commission to force Austria and Hungary to allow the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) maize on their territory were rejected yet again by EU environment ministers yesterday (2 March). Environment ministers from the 27-member bloc found a qualified majority against a Commission proposal to force Hungary and Austria to repeal bans on growing genetically modified MON 810 maize, which is developed and marketed by US company Monsanto. Read more...

Το DDΤ δηλητηριάζει ακόμα

ΤΑ ΝΕΑ, 03 Μαρτίου 2009

Ρυπασμένα με εντομοκτόνα της γενιάς του DDΤ, που σταμάτησαν να χρησιμοποιούνται εδώ και τουλάχιστον 35 χρόνια, εξακολουθούν να είναι τα νερά σε κάποιες λίμνες και ποτάμια της Ελλάδας. Ήταν μια αναπάντεχη όσο και ανησυχητική διαπίστωση για τους επιστήμονες του Πανεπιστημίου Ιωαννίνων που πραγματοποίησαν μια μεγάλη έρευνα για τις συγκεντρώσεις φυτοφαρμάκων στα επιφανειακά νερά της Ελλάδας. Την ίδια έκπληξη μάλιστα δοκίμασαν και αρκετοί ειδικοί που πριν από μερικές ημέρες παρακολούθησαν τα αποτελέσματα της ερευνητικής εργασίας στο πλαίσιο του συνεδρίου που διοργάνωσε η Ένωση Ελλήνων Χημικών στην Αθήνα με τίτλο «Τρόφιμα και Περιβάλλον». Διαβάστε περισσότερα...

Explorers begin epic Arctic trek

BBC News, March 01, 2009

A British team has begun a gruelling trek to the North Pole to discover how quickly the Arctic sea-ice is melting.
Renowned Arctic explorer Pen Hadow and two companions were dropped onto the ice by plane some 1,700km (670 miles) north of Canada on Saturday night. During their 1,000km journey they plan to take measurements of the thickness of the ice. It will be the most detailed survey of its kind this season, and should be completed in late May. Read more...

Θα κατασκευασθεί στην Αττική το πρώτο μεγάλο δίκτυο ποδηλατοδρόμων

H ΚΑΘΗΜΕΡΙΝΗ, 01 Μαρτίου 2009

Το πρώτο στην Αθήνα μεγάλο και λειτουργικό δίκτυο ποδηλατοδρόμων μελετήθηκε και βρίσκεται λίγο πριν από την κατασκευή του. Περίπου 17 χιλιόμετρα βασικού δικτύου ποδηλατοδρόμων, που θα διασχίζει έξι δήμους (από την Εκάλη έως το Χαλάνδρι), θα δοθεί για χρήση στους σημερινούς και… μελλούμενους ποδηλάτες, πιθανότατα εντός του έτους. Πρόκειται για έργο που χρηματοδοτείται από το υπουργείο Μεταφορών, η μελέτη του έγινε από την Μονάδα Βιώσιμης Κινητικότητας του Εθνικού Μετσοβίου Πολυτεχνείου και υλοποιείται από κάθε δήμο. Διαβάστε περισσότερα...

Vote for Russia's 'Miss Atom' 2009

Wired, February 12, 2009

Meet Alyona Kirsanova of Novovoronezh, one of the contestants in Russia's "Miss Atom" 2009. She is 22, works for Novovoronezhatomenergoremont, and loves "enjoying life". Alyona is a first-time contestant in "Miss Atom," an annual beauty contest open to (female) employees of Russia's nuclear industry. Read more...

World heading for 'water bankruptcy'

EurActiv, February 5, 2009

Sustained economic growth, human security and political stability over the next two decades depend on how water is managed, warns the World Economic Forum in a report urging governments and businesses to address consistent under-charging, waste and overuse of water.
Discussed last week at the forum's annual meeting in Davos, the report on managing future water needs argues that "we are now on the verge of water bankruptcy in many places, with no way of paying the debt back". Read more...

EU gives shark protection teeth

BBC News, February 5, 2009

The European Commission has unveiled measures aimed at protecting sharks, many of which are in sharp decline.
The proposals would close loopholes in current shark finning regulations, cut catches of endangered species and set quotas according to scientific advice. About half of ocean-going shark species are threatened with extinction. Read more...

Landmark Global Warming Lawsuit Settled

ENN, February 10, 2008

A federal lawsuit that sought to force two U.S. agencies to address the global warming implications of their overseas financing activities was settled Friday after more than six years. The suit established important legal precedents related to global warming.
The plaintiffs, including Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and the city of Boulder, filed the suit in 2002 alleging that Export-Import Bank of the United States and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation illegally provided more than $32 billion in financing and insurance to fossil fuel projects over 10 years without assessing whether the projects contributed to global warming or impacted the U.S. environment, as they were required to do under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Read more...

U.S. becomes top wind producer, solar next

ENN, February 3, 2009

The United States overtook Germany as the biggest producer of wind power last year, new figures showed, and will likely take the lead in solar power this year, analysts said on Monday.
Even before an expected "Obama bounce" from a new President who has vowed to boost clean energy, U.S. wind power capacity surged 50 percent last year to 25 gigwatts (GW) -- enough to power more than five million homes. Read more...

How Meat Contributes to Global Warming

ENN, January 28, 2009

KEY CONCEPTS

Pound for pound, beef production generates greenhouse gases that contribute more than 13 times as much to global warming as do the gases emitted from producing chicken. For potatoes, the multiplier is 57.

Beef consumption is rising rapidly, both as population increases and as people eat more meat.

Producing the annual beef diet of the average American emits as much greenhouse gas as a car driven more than 1,800 miles. Read more...

The Carbon Marketing Wars Have Begun

ENN, January 27, 2009

Their logos and packaging are near clones—Lay's potato chips in the United States and Walkers crisps in the United Kingdom. The story behind the similarity is that both brands are owned by PepsiCo. But a subtle difference sets them apart. Each bag of Walkers crisps carries a label stating that 75.0 grams of carbon were emitted to produce a 34.5 gram bag of chips.
In 2007, Walkers became the first major food brand to display a carbon label on its packaging. The label was the result of collaboration between PepsiCo and Carbon Trust, a British-government-funded nonprofit that works with businesses and the public to transition to a low-carbon economy. Read more...

Mayor Newsom launches Green Rental Car incentive program

ENN, January 22, 2009

The office of the San Francisco Mayor issued the following news release:
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is launching the nation's first Green Rental Car program that rewards customers for renting "green" alternative-fueled vehicles and rental car companies for increasing rentals of high mileage and alternative-fuel vehicles. The innovative incentive program is expected to eliminate more than 4,000 tons of CO2 emissions each year. Read more...

Emperor penguins face extinction

BBC News, January 26, 2008

Emperor penguins, whose long treks across Antarctic ice to mate have been immortalised by Hollywood, are heading towards extinction, scientists say. Based on predictions of sea ice extent from climate change models, the penguins are likely to see their numbers plummet by 95% by 2100.
That corresponds to a decline to just 600 breeding pairs in the world.
The research is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Read more...

EU wants "zero-waste, zero-emission" goal for ships

ENN, January 21, 2009

ENDS Europe Daily, 21 January 2009 - The European commission has issued a plan to increase the competitiveness of the EU maritime sector and improve its environmental performance by 2018. The plan is also intended to meet objectives in other sectors such as energy and road transport.
The commission calls for an ambitious long-term "zero-waste, zero-emission" goal for the maritime sector. It reaffirmed its intention to table draft legislation to cut greenhouse gas emissions from ships if world governments failed to agree global reductions this year. Read more...

Μιλάμε για πράσινη ενέργεια ή... πράσινα άλογα

Ελευθεροτυπία, 11 Ιανουαρίου 2009

Τη στιγμή που στην Αμερική και στην Ευρώπη οι κυβερνήσεις προσανατολίζονται σε μαζικές επενδύσεις σε μακροχρονίως βιώσιμες και φιλικές προς το περιβάλλον μορφές ενέργειας, η Ελλάδα συνεχίζει να βασίζει τον ενεργειακό σχεδιασμό και μάλιστα της ηλεκτροπαραγωγής της των επόμενων 40 ετών στα ορυκτά καύσιμα. Διαβάστε περισσότερα...

EU environment agency outlines challenges for 2009

ENN, January 15, 2009

Tackling climate change and its consequences, reforming the EU's Common Agricultural Policy, improving air quality and reducing the environmental impact of biofuels will top the bloc's environmental policy debates in the coming year, according to a report by the European Environment Agency (EEA).
The agency's 'snapshot' of key environmental policy debates in 2009 singles out "global diplomacy and the search for a successor to the Kyoto Protocol" as the main topic to be discussed, followed by adapting to climate change and water-management issues. Read more...

Light pollution forms 'eco-traps'

BBC News, January 16, 2009

An international team of researchers has found another form of light pollution that could have an adverse effect on wildlife.
The scientists showed that as well as direct light sources, polarised light also triggered potentially dangerous changes in many species' behaviour. They added that road surfaces and glass buildings were among the main sources of this form of light pollution. Read more...

Βλάπτουν το περιβάλλον οι τηλεοράσεις plasma

TA NEA, 13 Ιανουαρίου 2009

Για τους Βρετανούς είναι «τα 4Χ4 του σαλονιού»: όπως τα τζιπ μεγάλου κυβισμού, έτσι και οι τεράστιες τηλεοράσεις plasma βαρύνονται ιδιαίτερα για τη μόλυνση του περιβάλλοντος. Γι΄ αυτόν τον λόγο, η κυβέρνηση Μπράουν στη Βρετανία σκοπεύει να απαγορεύσει τη διάθεσή τους στην αγορά. Διαβάστε περισσότερα...

Μπόνους για ανακύκλωση

Ελευθεροτυπία, 13 Ιανουαρίου 2009

Νέο σύστημα ανακύκλωσης, που θα παρέχει ένα είδος «επιβράβευσης» του πολίτη, θεσπίζεται με απόφαση που υπέγραψε χθες ο υπουργός ΠΕΧΩΔΕ. Θα είναι συμπληρωματικό με τους μπλε κάδους, που θα συνεχίσουν να λειτουργούν, ενώ προβλέπεται η ενίσχυση των δήμων ώστε να μην καταλήγει το περιεχόμενό τους στα... απορριμματοφόρα, όπως ισχύει σήμερα σε σημαντικό ποσοστό. Διαβάστε περισσότερα...

Once reducers of CO2, Canada's trees now contribute to global warming

ENN, January 8, 2009

In an alarming, yet little noticed series of recent studies, scientists have determined that Canada's 1.2 million square miles of forests have become so stressed from damage caused by global warming, insect infestations and persistent fires that they have crossed an ominous line and now pump out more carbon dioxide than they take in. Read more...

Motorola Introduces Phone Made From Recycled Water Bottles

ENN, January 7, 2009

Las Vegas, NV (AHN) - Motorola Inc. introduced a cell phone made from recycled plastic water bottles.
The MOTO W233 Renew's plastic housing is not only made of recycled material, but the company said the device is the first "carbon neutral" phone. Read more...

Environmental Coalition Reaches Agreement with Navy on Mid-Frequency Sonar Lawsuit

NRDC, December 28, 2008

After years of litigation with the U.S. Navy over its refusal to prepare environmental impact statements (EIS) for sonar training exercises, a settlement announced Saturday commits the Navy to complete a schedule of full environmental reviews on major training exercises around the world, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). The settlement also requires disclosure of previously classified information regarding the Navy's sonar use and commits the Navy to fund nearly $15 million in new marine mammal research designated by NRDC and co-plaintiffs. Read more...

Thousands protest against Indian tiger reserve

ENN, December 30, 2008

CHENNAI, India (Reuters) - More than 15,000 people in southern India protested against the extension of a new tiger reserve Tuesday, despite official assurances that they will not lose their homes to the sanctuary.
Representatives from all parties in Tamil Nadu state, including the state's ruling party, took part in what is the third such protest since November against the extension of the Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary, police said. Read more...

EU admits failure to protect biodiversity

ENN, January 02, 2009

The EU is "highly unlikely" to meet its objective of putting a stop to biodiversity loss by 2010, the European Commission admits.
For the bloc to even come close to achieving the target, "intensive efforts" will have to be made by both the Commission and individual member states, according to the mid-term assessment of progress on implementing the Biodiversity Action Plan to halt biodiversity loss in the EU. Read more...

'Huge year for natural disasters'

BBC News, December 29, 2008

The past year has been one of the most devastating ever in terms of natural disasters, one of the world's biggest re-insurance companies has said.
Munich Re said the impact of the disasters was greater than in 2007 in both human and economic terms. The company suggested climate change was boosting the destructive power of disasters like hurricanes and flooding. Read more...

AutoΝΕΑ, 31 Δεκεμβρίου, 2008

Οι μπαταρίες νέας τεχνολογίας ανοίγουν τον δρόμο στα ηλεκ τρικά αυτοκίνητα. Οι μεγάλοι αυτοκινητοκατασκευαστές έλαβαν το μήνυμα και ετοιμάζονται να λανσάρουν μία σειρά τέτοιων μοντέλων στο άμεσο μέλλον. Διαβάστε περισσότερα...

Διαβάστε ακόμη: Προστέθηκε 'πράσινη' ενότητα στα μαθήματα νέων οδηγών

Canadians Set Up First Solar Powered Community In North America

ENN, December 29, 2009

A new Canadian neighborhood is North America's first solar-powered community. The community, named the Drake Landing Solar Community (DLSC) is located in the town of Okotoks, Alberta, and consists of 52 houses all powered by solar (what else?) energy. Read more...

Japan to bring back solar power subsidy for homes

ENN, December 24, 2008

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan plans to bring back subsidies for solar panel equipment from January, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said on Wednesday, as the world's fifth-biggest emitter struggles to cut its greenhouse gas emissions.
METI said the government would offer 9 billion yen ($99.6 million) in the first quarter of 2009 and possibly more in the fiscal year starting next April to foster use of solar panel equipment in homes. Read more...

Malaysia 'to double tiger stock'

BBC News, December 22, 2008

Malaysia has launched a national plan to double the country's wild tiger population by 2020, activists say.
Conservation groups and the government have set an ambitious target of expanding the tiger population from 500 to around 1,000 over 12 years. Read more...

Japan's first solar cargo ship

ENN, December 19, 2008

TOKYO - THE world's first cargo ship partly propelled by solar power took to the seas on Friday in Japan, aiming to cut fuel costs and carbon emissions when automakers ship off their exports.
Auriga Leader, a freighter developed by shipping line Nippon Yusen K.K. and oil distributor Nippon Oil Corp, took off from a shipyard in the western city of Kobe, officials of the two firms said.
The huge freighter capable of carrying 6,400 automobiles is equipped with 328 solar panels at a cost of 150 million yen (S$2.4 million dollars), the officials said. Read more...

Yet read also: Japan’s First (Barely) Solar Powered Cargo Ship Takes to the Waves

Νέα καταδίκη της Ελλάδας για το περιβάλλον

Ελληνική Ορνιθολογική Εταιρία, 16 Δεκεμβρίου 2008

Άλλη μια καταδίκη για παραβίαση της ευρωπαϊκής νομοθεσίας για το περιβάλλον εισέπραξε η χώρα μας από το Ευρωπαϊκό Δικαστήριο στις 11/12. Αυτήν τη φορά, η Ελλάδα καταδικάστηκε για ανεπαρκή προστασία των προστατευόμενων περιοχών (Ζώνες Ειδικής Προστασίας) του δικτύου Natura 2000, γεγονός που συνιστά παραβίαση της Οδηγίας για τη διατήρηση των άγριων πτηνών (79/409/ΕΟΚ). Διαβάστε περισσότερα...

Darfur conflict ravages environment

ENN, December 10, 2008

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudan's Darfur conflict has devastated the environment in the region, stripping forests and destroying farmland, according to a U.N. report.
People caught up in the five-year crisis have cut down large areas of woodland, partly to feed a booming war-fueled construction industry, said a report by the U.N.'s Environment Program (UNEP) seen by Reuters on Wednesday. Read more...

EU carbon trading system brings windfalls for some, with little benefit to climate

International Herald Tribune, December 09, 2008

BRUSSELS: The European Union started with the most high-minded of ecological goals: to create a market that would encourage companies to reduce greenhouse gases by making them pay for each ton emitted into the atmosphere.
Four years later, the carbon trading system has created a multibillion-euro windfall for some of the continent's biggest polluters, with little or no noticeable benefit to the environment so far. Read more...

Greenpeace bids to turn Japan against whaling

ENN, December 09, 2008

TOKYO (Reuters) - Greenpeace launched a campaign to turn Japan against whaling on Tuesday, with directors of the group from around the world delivering a letter to Prime Minister Taro Aso, urging him to halt the hunts.
The letter handover came weeks after Japan's whaling fleet set off for the Antarctic for an annual hunt aimed at catching about 900 whales, which Tokyo says is carried out for scientific research purposes.

In a break with past practice, Greenpeace is focusing on a campaign to try to change Japanese domestic opinion this year, rather than send a ship to chase the fleet in the Southern Ocean, which caused diplomatic ruffles last year. Read more...

EU bans low-efficiency light bulbs from 2012

ENN, December 09, 2008

EU governments have agreed a phase-out timetable to remove from the market all incandescent light bulbs and low-efficiency halogen bulbs by 2012 at the latest. The restrictions will be introduced as "implementing measures" under the energy-using products (EuP) directive and will begin to bite from next year.
"It's a groundbreaking measure that will change the way we consume energy," EU energy commissioner Andris Piebalgs said after the decision was taken by a committee of member state representatives in Brussels on Monday. Read more...

Yet read also: Managing mercury risks from energy-saving light bulbs (13/11/08)

EU leaders reach new climate deal

BBC News, December 12, 2008

European Union leaders have reached a deal on a package of measures to fight global warming. The plan, agreed at a Brussels summit, sets out how 27 member-countries will cut carbon emissions by 20% by 2020, compared with 1990 levels. French President Nicolas Sarkozy, the summit chairman, said something "quite historic" had happened in Brussels.
But critics said concessions made to some nations and sectors would lessen the package's long-term impact. Read more...

France fined over GM crop delay

BBC News, December 09, 2008

The EU's top court has ordered France to pay a 10m-euro (£8.7m; $12.9m) fine for delaying implementing EU rules on genetically modified (GM) crops.
The European Court of Justice said France's conduct was "unlawful". France has refused to apply a 2002 law which set out how biotech crops could be planted in areas where other conventional crops were being grown. Read more...

U.S. polluters to pay record $11.8 billion in 2008: EPA

ENN, December 05, 2008

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency enforcement actions during the 2008 budget year resulted in a record $11.8 billion in pollution controls and projects to clean up the environment, the agency said on Thursday.
"After these pollution control activities are completed, EPA estimates record pollution reductions of 3.9 billion pounds per year," said Granta Nakayama, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. Read more...

Genetically Modified Crops Reach 9 Percent of Global Primary Crop Production

ENN, December 05, 2008

Washington, D.C. - Genetically modified crops reached 9 percent of global primary crop production in 2007, bringing the total GM land area up to 114.3 million hectares, according to Worldwatch Institute estimates published in the latest Vital Signs Update. The United States continues to be the global leader in production, accounting for half of all GM crop area. Read more...

EU approves genetically modified soybean for import

ENN, December 02, 2008

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union has authorized imports of a genetically modified (GM) soybean type for sale across its 27 national markets for the next 10 years, the European Commission said on Thursday.
Developed and marketed by Monsanto, the soybean is destined for use in food and animal feed, not for growing. It is a second-generation GM product known by its code number MON 89788 and commercially as Roundup RReady2Yield. Read more...

Anti-whaling activists joined by Daryl Hannah

ENN, December 02, 2008

CANBERRA (Reuters) - Hardline anti-whaling activists prepared on Tuesday to pursue Japan's Antarctic whaling fleet with support from Daryl Hannah, who criticized Greenpeace for opting out of the annual chase.
The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, which clashed last year with the eight-ship fleet, bombarding it with stink bombs and briefly boarding a harpoon vessel, departs Australia on Wednesday for the Southern Ocean. Read more...

EU agrees to cut car emissions in climate fight

ENN, December 02, 2008

European carmakers must cut global-warming gases from new vehicles by 18 percent within the next six years, the EU agreed on Monday, after a long battle between environmentalists and an industry facing tough times.
"This deal represents a balance between the needs of the environment and the car industry across Europe, which is suffering massively at the moment," British Conservative lawmaker Martin Callanan told Reuters late on Monday. Read more...

Is Recycling Worth It? Popular Mechanics Investigation

ENN, December 02, 2008

Americans haul 82 million tons of trash to recycling centers each year. But does it pay off—for the environment or the economy? Popular Mechanics has some real answers.
Written by Alex Hutchinson, appearing in the December issue of Popular Mechanics. Read more...

Hot air: UN climate talks to create 13,000 tonnes of carbon

ENN, December 1, 2008

Staging a global forum on climate change is a dilemma, for it adds to very problem it is trying to solve. Around 13,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) will add to Earth's greenhouse effect from the December 1-12 meeting of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the UNFCCC said.
That estimate is based on a turnout of 8,000 people, but as of Sunday 10,657 people had registered for the talks.
Poland, which is hosting the meeting, "plans to offset the total emissions resulting from the conference once a final calculation has been made," the UNFCCC said. Read more...