North Sea investigated for carbon storage potential
by David Masters
Millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide produced by European power stations could be stored under the North Sea if new research is successful. The British and Norwegian governments yesterday signed an agreement to jointly research the potential of using the North Sea for carbon capture and storage (CCS). The joint study will investigate how quickly the sea bed could be prepared for carbon storage, and what the UK, Norway, and other countries ...
‘On the go’ recycling for London’s commuters
by David Masters
London's shameful recycling rate – one of the worst in the UK – should be tackled with a citywide 'on the go' recycling scheme, the London Assembly said this week. The Assembly called on Mayor Boris Johnson to take the 'next logical step' in improving the capital's recycling performance by putting recycle bins in the city's streets, parks, and shopping centres, as well as at underground stations and bus stops. A 37-page ...
Humble cuckoo, latest UK bird victim
by Alan Harten
It seems one too many birds may have flown over the cuckoo’s nest, as the cuckoo is now a member of the UK’s red list which contains the birds who are considered close to extinction. The cuckoo, which is historically a summer migratory bird, has dropped severely in numbers each season and by almost 37% within the past 15 years. Conservationists are alarmed in general about the amount of birds that have ...
Cities are key site for climate battle
by David Masters
“The fight against greenhouse gas emissions will be won or lost in cities,” Toronto Mayor David Miller said yesterday in Seoul. Miller's words concluded a three day summit of leaders from the world's largest cities in the South Korean capital. In a summit declaration, the leaders stressed that half the world's population live in cities. Cities cover just 2% of the earth's surface, yet they consume 75% of the world's ...
Hybrids too expensive for Americans
by David Masters
Four in five US adults believe hybrid cars are too expensive, a new survey published this week has revealed. The poll by Johnson Controls found that nine in ten Americans would consider a hybrid if they were buying a new car, but only one in five (23%) would be prepared to pay more for a hybrid compared to a standard vehicle. Furthermore, a third (35%) of Americans would prefer a petrol-only car ...
China demands 40% emissions cut
by David Masters
China, the country pumping out more greenhouse gas emissions than any other, has demanded that the world's wealthiest nations reduce carbon emissions 40% by 2020. In a report published yesterday, China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) – the body responsible for the country's climate change policy – said the world's wealthiest countries need to cut emissions by at least 40% compared with 1990 levels. The report outlines China's stance ahead of ...
Goats killed by turbine racket
by David Masters
A goat farmer in Taiwan claims that the noise of wind turbines built near his grazing land disturbs the sleeping patterns of his goats, with 400 animals allegedly dying of exhaustion since the turbines were installed. Before the turbines were built, Kuo Jing-shan had about 700 goats at his farm on Penghu, an outlying Taiwanese island. He now has just 250 goats, and blames the demise of his flock on the racket ...
US university powered by landfill gas
by David Masters
Campus buildings at the University of New Hampshire are to be powered using purified methane gas from a nearby landfill site. Construction has finished on the university's Ecoline project, which will provide up to 85% of its electricity and heat from natural methane gas. The $49 million project has an expected payback time of 10 years, and reduces the university's carbon emissions to an estimated 57% below 1990 levels. “This project will reduce ...
Shetland windfarm could provide 25% of Scotland’s energy
by David Masters
The Shetland Islands could soon be home to a 540MW wind farm, providing up to a quarter of Scotland's energy needs. Under the proposed scheme Europe's largest onshore wind farm would be built on the islands, which have the strongest and most consistent winds in Europe. The proposal, which will see 150 turbines up to 145m high covering an area of 250 hectares, has been put together by Viking Energy, a joint ...
Biodiversity vital for human health
by David Masters
Biodiversity not only makes nature more interesting, it plays a vital role in keeping humans healthy. A study of rodent diseases by scientists from the University of New Mexico found that the deadly hantavirus spread three times faster when the number of rodent species drops. Like swine-flu and bird-flu, hantavirus is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can spread from animals to humans, and is often fatal. The scientists who conducted the study believe ...
Scientist develops ultra-thin solar cells
by David Masters
Ultra-thin low-cost solar cells could one day be built in to clothing, tents and windows. Researchers have discovered a way to develop miniature, flexible, semi-transparent solar panels that could be placed almost anywhere to collect the sun's energy. Developed by Illinois University professor John A. Rogers over a five year period, the panels have been licensed by North Carolina-based semi-conductor maker Semprius, and a pilot run of the modules will be manufactured ...
Military is America’s biggest gas-guzzler
by David Masters
The US military is the country's single largest consumer of energy, spending $13 billion on fuel in 2007 and $20 billion in 2008, a military thinktank pointed out this week in a new report. The panel of retired generals, admirals, and a former space shuttle commander also highlighted America's unsustainable exploitation of energy; the US burns more oil than any other country, but controls only 2% of oil supplies. Their report warned ...
Obama wants 10 mpg more from all new cars
by Alan Harten
On Monday, Barack Obama passed legislation that will place limitations on car emissions and will force US and foreign auto makers to design more fuel efficient vehicles. The new legislation dictates that all new cars must offer at least 35.5 mpg by the year 2016 in order to reduce US carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 30%. Obama told governors, executives, and environmentalists that the new policy will help the economy, as ...
Two zoos go Knuts over polar bear ownership
by Alan Harten
An unlikely candidate is involved in a Berlin custody dispute - three year old Knut, a polar bear who currently lives in the Berlin Zoo but is technically owned by the Neumunster zoo. A Berlin judge has now ordered the two zoos to resolve the ownership rights to the bear. Knut is at the centre of the battle due to the fact he has generated approximately €10m in entrance fees and merchandise. The ...
Six year study of lakes under way
by Alan Harten
A conference held recently in Lake Windermere addressed the problems facing England’s lakes. Climate change, pesticides, and fertilisers are causing the lakes to dry up or flood and are also destroying natural wildlife. The Environment Agency declared that it will assess the 730 most notable lakes across England, study the extent of damage and assess how it can be improved over the next six years. The Director of Environment and Business at the ...
Using trees as a pollution barometer
by Alan Harten
If you want to know how much pollution is in the air, then look up towards the nearest tree. UK researchers from the University of Lancaster say that you can measure microscopic particles of pollution on urban trees, making the leaves of neighbourhood trees an accurate measure of pollution in the area. The pollution found on the leaves is left from car engines or factories that burn fossil fuel. This produces ...
All British Homes Should Be Painted White
by Alan HartenBritain's health chiefs have adopted a new philosophy when it comes to cooling down your home that is a bit Mediterranean in nature - paint all homes white. The health chiefs claim that homes that are white will reflect heat, and homes that take advantage of further measures, such as removing metal blinds and replacing them with white curtains, and replacing carpet with wood or tile, will stay cooler naturally throughout ...
“Tap Top” carafe to adorn London’s café tables
by David Masters
A new carafe launched in London yesterday is designed to encourage the capital's diners to shun bottled water in favour of its free alternative. London On Tap, a campaign promoting the capital's tap water, hopes the carafe will be adopted by bars, hotels and restaurants across the city. The “Tap Top” carafe was chosen last year as the winning entry in London On Tap's carafe design competition. A panel of judges, including chef-restaurateur ...
The world’s first vegetarian city
by David Masters
In an effort to prove that the United Nations is not completely ignored by everybody, city councillors in Belgium have decided to follow UN advice on food habits and impose a vegetarian diet on residents for one day per week. According to the UN, livestock is responsible for a fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions, and the world must reduce its meat consumption if it is to have any chance of ...
Kingston doubles recycling in one year
by David MastersA round of applause to Kingston, which has managed to double its recycling rate in just one year. The London borough recycled 47% of its waste in January-March 2009, compared to just 25% during the same period the previous year. Its total amount sent to landfill in the 2008-09 financial year was 4,442 tonnes, down from 7,363 tonnes in 2007-08. Kingston Council believes its success is due to a new recycling scheme where ...