Vehicles may soon run on methane
by Alan Harten
For many years, scientists investigating the possibilities of methane powered cars, have been wrestling with the problems of finding a storage system for the vehicle that is, effective, economically viable, and most of all safe. If these problems can be mastered, methane may well be the most viable alternative fuel for cars and other vehicles, one reason for this is availability, it is naturally produced and very cheap. These technical ...
Amazon deforestation reality revealed
by Rachel Thomas
It was one ecological disaster that had apparently been stopped. After decades of obliteration, the illegal deforestation that had blemished the world’s largest rainforest had seemingly been stopped. President of Brazil, Lula de Silva, in August went on the radio to celebrate the breakthrough, with environmental ministers praising the great achievement for Brazilian society. Yesterday this good news was halted when ministers confessed that deforestation had once again risen substantially. A minimum 1280sq mile ...
Gore says, change laws, not just light bulbs
by Alan Harten
Al Gore, politician, turned climate campaigner, has urged policymakers worldwide to: change the laws "not just light bulbs" in the quest to tackle the global warming situation. An official from the UN stated that, turmoil in the world markets must not be allowed to delay any action. The annual gathering of many influential, world business and political leaders, in Davos, Switzerland, has scheduled a record breaking number of workshops, and ...
Biofuels ‘ineffective and expensive’ according to MPs
by David Masters
A report published this week by a committee of MPs, 'Are biofuels sustainable?', concluded that biofuels are ineffective and expensive when it comes to cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The report raises concerns about the lack of strict sustainability standards and the absence of any mechanisms to deter the destruction of rainforest in the production of biofuel crops. The Environmental Audit Committee concluded that the Government and the European Union should not be ...
Carribean coral reefs devastated
by Rachel Thomas
Scientists claim that more than half of all Caribbean coral reefs have been left devastated as a result of warmer seas and a record hurricane season in 2005. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) yesterday warned that this severe damage to reefs is likely to become a regular occurrence as a result of current predictions of rising global temperatures due to climate change. The severe storms of 2005, aside from the human cost, ...
Anti-corruption discussions in Chicago
by Grant Draper
On April 16/17th, 2008, hundreds of United States companies, will visit Chicago to tackle worldwide, corporate corruption, by discussing practical solutions to present problems. The US government continues to support the summit, with 2007 showing stats for 14 overseas bribery cases, and 77 probes got underway. Many top level speakers will be attending including speakers from the likes of: • BP • Texas Instruments • Trace International • Hospira • ITT Corporation • Kraft • Lockheed Martin • ACS • SAIC • Pfizer • Intel • U.S. Department of Justice • U.S. Department of State • U.S. Securities and Exchange ...
Rising sea water temperatures could reduce Hurricane’s hitting the US
by Alan Harten
The potentially disastrous rising sea water temperatures that have been linked to the effects of global warming could have a beneficial side effect, by decreasing the number of hurricanes making landfall in the US, at least according to new research released this week. Published in Geophysical Research Letters, this new study calls into question other research that suggested that, global warming is contributing to the increase in the intensity, and frequency, ...
Scottish survey finds a load of rubbish
by David Masters
Dropping litter in Scotland is illegal, and could result in a £50 fine. In 2007, officials issued more than 4,000 fixed penalty notices to people caught littering. Yet in recent research published by Keep Scotland Beautiful, 46% of Scots admitted to committing this environmental crime. A similar proportion said that they found littering in beaches, parks or their own neighbourhoods offensive. Surprisingly, the worst offenders were not teenagers ...
UN officials warn of market’s affect on climate battle
by Rachel Thomas
Two UN officials discussed how efforts to cut carbon emissions could be put in jeopardy by fears of an economic downturn. Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Rajendra Pachauri, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland expressed his concern that world leaders would become preoccupied by the short-term search for jobs and economic growth, calling on leaders to ensure they don’t lose sight of the ...
Nuclear talks at London summit
by Grant Draper
British Energy will be the 2008 sponsor for the leading climate change summit, in the UK. The summit is set to take place 12-13 February at Regents Park at the Marriot hotel, in London. If acted upon now, climate change could be a business opportunity, but each company has its own environmental and financial responsibilities towards climate change. Speakers from Lehman Brothers, The Co-Operative Group, Cadbury Schweppes, ASDA, British Gas, Tesco, ...
China’s Energy Policies fail to tackle climate change
by Alan Harten
Asian economic power house China, is failing with its environmental, economic, and energy policies that have not been geared to fight climate change, says a newly published study. Imme Scholz and Carmen Richerzhagen of the German Development Institute have made a review of China's recent climate-related actions and policies. They find that China is struggling hard to increase its basic energy efficiency but very many, of ...
London’s pollution levels endanger Olympics
by David Masters
The air pollution levels on the streets of London are in breach of the European Union's legal limits, and could prevent the capital from meeting key conditions for hosting the 2012 Olympic games. This contention has been made by Green party members on the London assembly, who are calling for the International Olympics Committee (IOC) to investigate London's air quality as the city prepares for the games. The Host City ...
Two thirds of the UK already making green home improvements
by David MastersA survey conducted for the Co-operative bank found that in 2007 more than two thirds of Brits made improvements at home to decrease their carbon footprint. The research also found that UK citizens are also planning to spend a huge £13 billion on further green improvements. The most popular change of the year was recycling household waste - 66% of those polled made this change. Other popular eco-changes included ...
A Volcano, not Global Warming, may be melting Antarctic Ice
by Alan Harten
Scientists have unearthed a layer of volcanic ash, mixed with shards of glass, in ice drilled out of Antarctica. This seems to be evidence of an older eruption by a volcano that is still active. Researchers are now theorising that this volcano may be contributing, to ongoing thinning of the, Antarctic glacial ice. Two scientists working with the British Antarctic Survey, David G. Vaughan and his partner Hugh F.J. ...
Abu Dhabi set to invest $15 billion, to go green.
by Alan Harten
As part of an ongoing massive development investment, Abu Dhabi plans to spend $15 billion, just on the first phase of a plan, to build the world's largest hydrogen power plant, and develop green energy, the government announced on Monday. This investment will be a part of the so called “Masdar initiative,” planned to develop clean, sustainable energy. The World Future Energy Summit in the emirate was informed by Abu ...
News Brief – North America January 2008
by Grant Draper
Healthy Wal-Mart Wal-mart has overhauled its healthcare plans, providing insurance for 100,000 more employees than it did three years ago, and making signing up, easy and accessible. Despite the fact the waiting period for eligibility, which is now cut from two years, to one, Wal-Mart still insure less than half of it’s 1.4 million workers. Forward Progress Google will work with branded RE (Renewable energy cheaper than coal project) to reduce its energy ...
Virgin Money Launches New ‘Climate Change Fund’
by Brian Turner
As consumers increasingly look to go green, research reveals that investing in environmentally aware companies can improve investment performance Virgin Money is launching the innovative Virgin Climate Change Fund which will invest in high performing, environmentally focused companies to drive market beating investment returns. Unlike typical 'green' funds, The Virgin Climate Change Fund can invest in all industry sectors but will only invest in companies with lighter than average environmental footprints for ...
Royal Mail lead the way in combatting climate change
by David Masters
Woods are scarce in the UK - only 12% is covered by woodland, compared to the 46% European average. There is no doubt that the paper used in the 80 million letters sent every day across the UK does little to abet this tree shortage. But now the posties are joining the fight against climate change and helping the woodland fight back. Staff at Royal Mail and Parcelfore Worldwide ...
London businesses learn ‘lean enterprise’
by David Masters
A free workshop held this week at the British Library taught London-based businesses how being environmentally friendly could give them a competitive edge. The workshop was one of a six-part series organised by London Remade with the aim of helping start up businesses, as well as the city's small and medium enterprises (SMEs). At this week's event, attendees were taught the 'competitive weapon' of 'lean enterprise' - the art of making ...
January 2008 - Business School Bulletin
by Grant Draper
The geography of disaster response About half of Global Fortune Firms, as a whole, provided goods and services worth over $580 million, to the tsunami effort. Companies are now donating more than before of the $97 million donated to the hurricane Katrina effort, $27 million came from corporate funding. Understandably, investigations show, companies are more likely to give to a “home region effort”, something that has had an affect on ...