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...