Lecture to outline how technology will help reduce emissions
by David Masters
A lecture to be given tomorrow in Dublin will propose ways in which technology can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The lecture is one of a series being organised by the Irish Environmental Protection Agency called 'Technological Solutions: Grey Clouds and Silver Linings.' The lecture is to be held at Dublin's Alexander Hotel, and will be given by Dr. Leonard Bernstein. Dr. Bernstein is one of the chief ...
Branson fuels up plane with nuts
by Alan Harten
On Sunday, the world's first commercial airline flight powered by renewable energy, took off from London. And if that wasn't enough, the biofuel was supplied by nuts picked in the Amazon rain forests. The jumbo jet sporting the Virgin Atlantic logo undertook the one-hour flight from London to Amsterdam with its tanks filled with what is called a ‘bio-jet blend’ fuel. This fuel includes coconut oil, and babassu oil. Richard Branson, who ...
RAC urges motorists to take on eco-driving practices
by Rachel Thomas
Today the RAC claimed that better driving technique and improved journey planning, amongst other eco-friendly driving practices, could save motorists up to £100 every year whilst lower environmental impact. The RAC accused motorists of currently wasting £2.2 billion in petrol per year. According to the RAC 60% of drivers are unaware of the fact that changing gears when the revs are high can lessen petrol consumption. Similarly 40% of drivers believed ...
Big Drinking water problem, tiny solution
by Alan Harten
Bacteria, toxic chemicals, viruses and other hazardous conditions in the water supply may be removed with tiny particles of pure silica which are coated with an active material, they will be able to do this at a lower cost and with more affect than traditional water purification systems, and this is according to the prestigious International Journal of Nanotechnology. Scientists from the University of South Australia –based, Ian Wark Research Institute, ...
Uk government orders review of biofuels
by Rachel Thomas
The UK government today ordered a review of the environmental and economic damage caused by growing biofuels. Resulting from a number of studies undertaken lately that query the environmental advantages of biofuels, ministers wish to check that the UK and European biofuel targets will be beneficial; meaning that they solve more problems than they cause. Despite ordering the review, ministers are continuing with plans to make biofuels make up 2.5% of transport ...
‘Severe’ heatwave likely by 2017
by David Masters
Scientists have warned that there is a one in four chance of a 'severe' heatwave coming to the UK by the summer of 2017. If such a heatwave struck, it could potentially kill more than 5,000 people. The report - 'Health Effects of Climate Change in the UK 2007' - published jointly by the Department of Health and the Health Protection Agency, also predicts that there is a ...
Doctors warned of new health problems due to climate change
by David Masters
Doctors in Ireland are being encouraged to think about the ways in which climate change impacts on health and well-being. Members of the Irish Doctors Environmental Association will be told at the group's annual general meeting this week that it is essential for doctors to get involved in the fight against climate change. Members will be encouraged to partake in schemes to reduce their environmental impact. Dr. Elizabeth Cullen, who will ...
EU plans to ban strippers
by David MastersEU proposes ban on strippers The European Union is planning to ban members of the European public from buying toxic paint strippers that contain dichloromethane. Under the plans the use of paint strippers in industry would also be restricted. Dichloromethane gives off a vapour that causes headaches, and dizziness. In high concentrations it can cause faintness, unconsciousness, and even death. The chemical is common in paint strippers used ...
Businesses should take lead role in tackling climate change
by David Masters
A poll conducted by WWF Northern Ireland has found that the country is more concerned about global warming than the rest of the UK. The Northern Irish people want to see business doing more in the fight against climate change. Over 1,000 people were questioned in the poll. WWF Northern Ireland outlined the findings of the survey: There has been a sharp increase in the proportion of people who ...
Labour party advocates undersea power cables
by David Masters
The Labour Party in Ireland is proposing a new solution to the country's power problems - undersea power cables. The current plans, set out by EirGrid, has been the subject of sustained protests by lobby groups. The plan involves installing overhead power lines in Cavan, Meath, Tyrone and Monaghan. Lobby groups want the cables to be laid underground, although this could increase the cost of the project tenfold. The Labour ...
Irish Government to increase landfill charges again
by David Masters
The Irish Government has announced that they are planning further increases to the levies imposed on landfill-dumped rubbish. This announcement comes amidst already rising charges that are set to go up by almost one third in the next few months. Ireland's environment minister, John Gormley, announced the decision as part of his plans to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste that is dumped in landfill rather than being recycled. Waste companies ...
Russians smash animal products smuggling ring
by Alan Harten
For the last six months, the WWF and TRAFFIC have been providing assistance to the Russian navy, police and customs services in the country's Far Eastern regions, which has resulted in Russian officials apprehending a ring of smugglers who trade in animal parts and tiger skins across the border into China. Government officials operating in three simultaneous raids seized 900 black and brown bear paws, 60kg of bones from Tigers, ...
Oil-from-coal plans lead to environmental concerns
by Rachel Thomas
Plans by a Chinese energy company to make liquid fuels from coal have provoked heated responses from many environmental campaigners, with their claims that the process will increase carbon emissions and further aggravate global warming. The Mongolian plant will use technology, developed by Germany during World War 2, that changes coal into synthetic diesel. According to China this “Nazi fuel” would stop any economic reliance on foreign oil. China’s ...
The ‘Great Green Leap Day’: a day off to combat climate change
by David Masters
The National Trust has told all of its volunteers and workers to have a day off on 29th February, and to use the day to do something to help the environment. Most businesses use the extra day of the leap year to get a free day's work out of their employees. The National Trust, however, wants its workforce of over 50,000 to spend the day thinking about their environmental footprint ...
Businesses opposed to government climate targets
by David Masters
A survey published last week found that businesses are opposed to the Government's plans to cut back on carbon emissions. The survey, published by npower business, found that 71% of SMEs and large commercial and industrial firms believe that the Government's plans for a Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) will make UK businesses uncompetitive. Nearly two-thirds of businesses believe that the costs of implementing the scheme would outweigh the benefits, and only 48% ...
Goverment food policy lambasted as confusing and poorly enforced
by David Masters
A study by the Sustainable Development Commission has found that Government policies and guidance on sustainable food are conflicting and poorly enforced, and hinder the development of a sustainable food system in the UK. The study, called 'Green, Healthy and Fair', reports that a total of 19 Government departments are responsible for implementing almost 100 different policies that deal with food and supermarkets. It recommends that Government ministers work together ...
New research finds damaged oceans worldwide
by David Masters
Recent research has discovered that 40% of the marine world has been heavily affected by human activities, including fishing, climate change and pollution. Researchers at the National Centre for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) in California have created a world map that colour-codes the influence of human activity upon the world's oceans, believed to be the first of its kind in the world. The most heavily affected areas in the world include ...
United States’ biggest reservior likely to be dry by 2021
by David Masters
A study has found that the largest human-made lake in the U.S. could run out of water within the next 15 years because of climate change and water demand. The reservoir, located 30 miles south east of Las Vegas, was created when the Hoover Dam was built. It is a key water source for millions of people in the south west of the U.S. The research was carried out at ...
Worldwide switch off to fight climate change.
by Alan Harten
Twenty four cities around the world, have announced that they will be taking part in ‘Earth Hour’ on March 29. This will involve as many as 30 million people sending off TVs and lights in a demonstration against climate change, this according to environmental activists WWF. The concept of ‘Earth Hour’ began in 2007 in Sydney Australia, where over 2 million residents turned of their power for one hour to ...
Link between city pollution and heart damage revealed
by Rachel Thomas
At the annual meeting for the American Association for the Advancement of Science, held in Boston, scientists revealed a link between heart damage and city pollution from car exhausts. Scientists have also found evidence connecting smoke from tobacco and fires to heart attacks, clogged arteries and cardiovascular disease. Scientists spoke of the requirement for increased regulation to curb the effects of pollution; references were made to the fact that environmental regulations are ...