Orange juice three times worse than bottled water
by David Masters
We all know bottled water is bad for the environment. Recent calculations put the carbon emissions of a litre bottle of water produced in Fiji and shipped to the United States at 0.25kg. In addition, about seven times the amount of water inside the bottle is wasted in production and transport. Now, Tropicana has revealed the carbon footprint of its Pure Premium orange juice. With Carbon Trust verification, Tropicana worked ...
Think whilst you drink
by David Masters
A drinking glass created by Ukrainian-born designer Inna Alesina forces users to think about the different between needs and wants, and to act upon the wastage created by excess want.
The bottom half of the glass is labelled 'need', and the top half, 'want'.
A hole in the top half allows water to escape - demonstrating the unnecessary waste of an overconsuming society based ...
MPs back Heathrow expansion
by David Masters
MPs have voted in favour of a third runway at Heathrow airport despite widespread public opposition. The vote, won with a majority of just 19, has angered environmentalists, public officials and local communities. More than 25 Labour MPs voted against the plans, which are opposed by the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats. The Conservatives have pledged to stop the bulldozers in their tracks if they win the next election. Meanwhile, Greenpeace is leading a ...
Eating dirt could be good for children
by David MastersLetting young children eat dirt could be good for their long term health, scientists have revealed. Researchers found that the millions of bacteria, viruses and worms that enter the body along with dirt support the development of a strong immune system. Children allowed to play in the mud are less likely to develop autoimmune diseases and allergies. Meanwhile, in hyperhygenic countries such as the US and the UK, children have higher rates of ...
Sewage-powered buses for Norway’s capital
by David Masters
Buses in Oslo, Norway, are to be powered using biomethane from human sewage. Starting this year, 200 public buses in Norway's capital will be fueled using biomethane, cutting back carbon emissions and saving the city council money on fuel costs. Biomethane gas is a by-product of treated sewage. Previously, the gas was flared off at sewage plants, releasing 17,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. Now the gas will be used in slightly ...
Ocean Plankton/CO2 Experiment Restarted
by Alan Harten
There is good news and bad news about a new initiative to make use of natural plankton to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the air by drawing it into the world's oceans. Scientists have been carrying out studies in the Southern Ocean, on how a natural algal bloom captures carbon dioxide. The findings of the Crozex experiment, which have been published in the journal 'Nature', could contribute to ...
Climate change threatens emperor penguins
by David Masters
Emperor penguins could be on the verge of extinction by 2100, according to new scientific research. The prediction, based on climate change models, shows numbers of the species dropping 95% over the next 90 years - meaning that there would only be around 600 breeding pairs left. Declining sea ice will make the penguin's arduous trek to mate increasingly difficult. The females only lay one egg each season, and for the chick to ...
The world’s fastest (charging) electric car
by David Masters
US-based Shelby Super Cars has unveiled the blueprint for an eco-friendly sports car with a top speed of 208mph. The SSC Ultimate Aero EV will accelerate from 0 to 60mph in 2.5 seconds - and needs just 10 minutes charging to travel up to 200 miles. It will be the fastest electric car in production, adding to SSC's accolade of releasing the fastest ever production car. Although making an electric sports car may ...
Freegans beware: Sainsbury’s will burn your lunch
by David Masters
Freegans - who boycott capitalism by eating food dumped by supermarkets - could soon find themselves looking for a new food source following an announcement by Sainsbury's. The supermarket giant has revealed plans to turn waste food from its Scottish stores into biofuel. The pilot scheme will see over 40 tonnes of waste food collected from stores turned into biofuel and renewable energy. "Each tonne of food waste diverted from landfill by ...
Polar Bears Seen On The Thames
by Alan Harten
Office workers in central London were probably shocked yesterday to see a polar bear and its cub floating on a small iceberg down the River Thames, past such prominent buildings as the Houses of Parliament and tourist magnets like Tower Bridge. The very lifelike sculpture, measuring 16 feet, was created by over a dozen artists who worked for over two months to produce it. The project had the backing of the ...
Severn Estuary Destroyed To Make Green Energy?
by Alan Harten
In many countries around the world people and businesses accept that there is not a limitless supply of energy. Many places, including whole towns, accept the premise that the power company simply runs out of electricity and has to interrupt supplies for hours on end. This is a concept which we in Britain cannot really imagine. We believe that we have an absolute right to constant electricity for brewing our tea ...
International Renewable Energy Agency launched
by David Masters
A new organisation promoting the use and development of renewable energy launched today in Bonn, Germany. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) will give advice to industrialised and developing nations on reducing fossil fuel dependency. Fifty-five governments have committed to full IRENA membership, whilst a total of 116 countries will take part in the agency. Germany, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Spain will all sign the founding treaty. Neither Britain nor the US have ...
Dead-Zones Appearing In World’s Oceans
by Alan Harten
According to research by a team of Danish scientists, our oceans are heading for a situation where some areas will become “dead zones” deprived of many forms of life. Along coasts across the world the use of fertilisers is wreaking havoc on the world's shallow ocean areas close to the shore. Fertiliser that is spread on fields, perhaps along hundreds of miles of coast, eventually finds its way into the sea ...
This Weekend’s Big Bird Watching Survey
by Alan Harten
Having begun back in 1979, the Big Garden Birdwatch took place over the weekend under the eagle eye of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Around 500,000 people took part in the weekend long observation aimed at counting the number of birds found in the nation's back gardens and local parks. This 30th anniversary event produced some unusual sightings, not least of all when a couple in Dorset spotted ...
Could Liquid Wood be the New Plastic?
by David Masters
German scientists have created a plastic-like liquid substance based on wood. Arboform, as the chemical has been christened, is derived from wood pulp-based lignin. Emilia Regina, from the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology, explained to DPA News Agency: "The cellulose industry separates wood into its three main components -- lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose. "The lignin is not needed in papermaking, however. "Our colleagues mix that lignin with fine natural fibres made of wood, ...
Bike, Boat, Car: 3 cutting-edge eco-vehicles
by David Masters
Backpack Bike German Bike 'Der Bergmönch' folds down into an easy-carry backpack. Weighing in at just 9.5kg and designed for off-road use, it's ideal for campers, hikers and other adventurous types. It has no pedals, though, so it's best for those who like climbing hills, but would prefer an easy ride for the descent. Brakes are included, and the backpack has 12 litres of free space for lunch and a waterproof ...
Affordable paper house for refugees
by David Masters
Swiss inventor Gerd Niemoeller has designed a new low-cost house made from recycled cardboard and newspapers. Costing £3,500, the Universal World House is aimed at shanty-town dwellers and long-term refugees. Weighing just 800kg, the paper house is lightweight and easily assembled. Made from resin-soaked cellulose recovered from used cardboard and newspapers, it's both waterproof and environmentally friendly. A honeycomb structure in the walls - similar to that used in aircraft and high-speed ...
Five years in prison for using plastic bag
by David Masters
Think being charged 5p for a plastic bag in M&S is annoying? In Delhi, India's capital, the penalty for using a plastic bag is a five year jail sentence or a 100,000 rupee (£1,500) fine. Delhi's environment boss, J. K. Dadoo, says: "We want people to understand that they will not get away with (using plastic bags). If they choose to defy the law repeatedly, then the court has the ...
Revealed: The food secrets of clever children
by David MastersChildren who eat fish once a week and bread and cereals four times a day end up smarter than their peers, according to a major New Zealand-based study. The research found that children's IQ is boosted by eating certain foods, and significantly lowered by other foods. Margarine was found to have particularly strong links with low IQ scores. University of Otago scientist Dr Reremoana Theodore, who conducted the research, said it is crucial ...
Portable bike lane makes cycling safer
by David Masters
As all cyclists know too well, riding the city streets without a bike lane is a dangerous past time - especially at night. In the US, nearly two people a day are killed on the road in cycling accidents, whilst 43,000 cyclists are injured every year. With bike lanes costing up to £25,000 per mile to install, local authorities are often reluctant to help. However, the newly invented portable bicycle lane is designed ...