Recycling company wants eco-courts
by David Masters
A recycling firm in Ireland is urging the government to set up new courts to punish environmental criminals. Repak wants a dedicated court with special powers to prosecute anyone caught breaking environmental law in the country. Judges and lawyers in the courts would have specialist qualifications in environmental law, and fines for breaking eco-laws would be much higher than they are at the moment. Repak believes that establishing the courts would send a ...
Australia’s lifeguards get water-saving grants
by David Masters
Surf life saving clubs in Australia are being offered grants of AUS$10,000 to help them save water as well as lives. Australia's climate change minister, Penny Wong, launched the scheme as part of the country's $250 million initiative to save rainwater and grey water. In total, $12.9 billion has been set aside for the Water for the Future programme, designed to secure long-term water supplies for Australia. Michael Hornby, general manager ...
What Next? Are Green Light Bulbs a Cancer Risk?
by Alan Harten
In the latest case of “is anything safe these days”, the Health Protection Agency is warning that the curvy little fluorescent energy saving light bulbs are not safe. The agency says that the potential threat comes from the fact that these long lasting “green” lights give off UV radiation. UV radiation is around us all the time; it is the main problem with being exposed to sunlight for long periods. The ...
Purple robot is recycling superhero
by David Masters
Councillors in Tower Hamlets have thought up an innovative new idea to get residents of the London Borough to recycle more: a giant, talking, purple robot. Mr Recycle More was built using 33 recycling bins and spends his time visiting local communities and council estates. From his massive mouth the robot booms his catchphrase, "How nice to see you." At six metres tall, Mr Recycle More is as high as the average two ...
Fiat launches eco:Drive software
by David Masters
Fiat hopes to change the world's driving habits with a new eco:Drive computer programme. The free eco:Drive software was unveiled by the car maker this week at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. Drivers using the software are given detailed feedback on the fuel consumption of their driving style, and offered personalised tips on how to make their driving more eco-friendly. Feedback includes fuel consumption graphs, driving style diagrams, and potential savings to be ...
Wales boosts recycling above 30%
by David Masters
Household recycling rates in Wales have risen by 4.5 percentage points in the last year, from 27.7% in 2006-7 to 32.2% in 2007-8. The level of recycling in Wales is now catching up with England - English households recycle 33.9% of their waste - and is improving faster than in England. Seven local authorities in Wales - Ceredigion, Conwy, Monmouthshire, Isle of Anglesey, Flintshire, Wrexham, and Torfaen - already have recycling rates ...
Scottish eco-village plans withdrawn
by David MastersPlans for a woodland eco-village in Scotland have been withdrawn following sustained opposition from local people. The Forestry Commission applied to build a village of 32 sustainable homes and eight holiday chalets in Kilnhil Wood, near Nairn. Highland councillors were due to discuss the plans today, but the Forestry Commission decided to withdraw the application after officials recommended that it be refused. Planners said the proposals did not provide adequate disposal facilities for ...
Green sector to boost world’s economy
by David Masters
A new report by the UN says that the fight against climate change could create millions of new jobs around the world. According to a study cited in the UN Environmental Programme report, investment in environmental services and products is predicted to double in the next 12 years from $1.37 trillion to $2.74 trillion. Green jobs are those that help companies and organisations reduce their environmental impact to a level that is ...
Brownfield database needs updating
by David Masters
A new report by English Partnerships (EP) has said that local government systems for recording brownfield sites need revamping if government targets for brownfield development are to be met. The report by the regeneration agency is likely to cause a major shake up in the way that the government monitors the location of brownfield sites that are suitable for development. Government targets state that 60% of new homes must be built on ...
Greenpeace Board Spanish Coal Freighter
by Alan Harten
Activists from the environmental organisation Greenpeace boarded a ship off the Spanish Gijon coast. The ship named the "Windsor Adventure", is carrying 54,000 tons of coal from Colombia, and the intention of the protestors was to warn about the effects of the fuel on climate change. The operation, which began at dawn yesterday, involved eight members of the organisation, divided into two groups. The freighter, which is a very large ...
EU and US ban mercury exports
by David Masters
The European Union and the United States have banned the export of pure mercury in an attempt to protect the environment and people's health. The EU's ban will start from 2011, whilst the US ban will begin in 2013. In Europe, additional rules will be introduced to complement the ban, including a ban on the export of mercury mixed with other substances, and legislation to ensure that existing mercury is stored safely. The ...
Water savers get tax-free weekend
by David Masters
Millions of people across America were given their first ever chance to buy a water-saving toilet tax free this weekend. The offer was part of a four-day tax holiday across the US on any products marked with a WaterSense or Energy Star label. Energy and water saving products, including taps, toilets, refrigerators, dishwashers, light bulbs and air conditioners, were all exempt from local and state sales tax between 2nd and 5th October. Any ...
New government department for climate change
by David Masters
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has created a new government department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC). The department was created during the cabinet's latest reshuffle, with Ed Milliband - formerly minister for the cabinet office and brother of Foreign Secretary David Milliband - promoted to lead the department. Combining energy and climate change into a single department demonstrates Brown's determination to win over the environmental vote for Labour, and to put Britain ...
Lead contamination in Ireland’s water supplies
by David MastersIreland's Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has warned that lead contamination has been discovered in 23 of the country's water supplies. Four of the affected areas have been issued public health notices, whilst other local authorities have been informed of what they need to do if excessive lead is discovered in their region's water supply. New Drinking Water Regulations were introduced in March this year. Since then, excessive lead levels have been ...
American states trade right to pollute
by David Masters
Over 200 power plants in the north eastern USA now have to bid for the right to emit pollution. Ten US states have signed up to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), and six of those states held the first carbon aution last week. The right to emit carbon dioxide sold at the auction for $3.07 per ton. With 12.5 million tons of emission rights being sold, the auction raised a total of ...
Hong Kong pioneers sustainable construction
by David MastersHong Kong city government plans to lead the way in green construction, by ensuring that new flagship infrastructure projects are built according to strict environmental standards. Ten 'mega projects' are planned for the city state, to upgrade the city's infrastructure. Projects include new railway lines, cross-boundary infrastructure, new development areas, and a cultural district. The projects will be used to showcase techniques for sustainable construction. Secretary for Development, Carrie Lam, announced the projects in ...
Virgin Galactic to Help Save The Planet
by Alan Harten
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a US government body that carries out all kinds of tests on the seas and the atmosphere. It is comparatively easy to make these experiments happen on the world’s oceans; all you need to do is hire some ships. When it comes to snooping around in the high atmosphere then things are not so easy. There are not so many spacecraft available for ...
Coca Cola launches new eco-can
by David Masters
Coca Cola has pioneered a new drinks can design that will save 15,000 tonnes of aluminium ever year. The new design, which uses 5% less aluminium than traditional drinks cans, will help cut back on how much of the rare metal is used in Europe. In addition, using less aluminium means less carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere. The metal in the cans is less than 0.1mm thick, about the width of ...
TV advert gives energy saving advice
by David Masters
The government has launched a new TV advert advising people how to cut their heating bills and help the environment. Gordon Brown has pledged £1 billion towards making British homes more energy efficient, and the TV adverts will be a key part of this ACT ON CO2 campaign. The advert has been put together by top British film director Shane Meadows, famous for box office hit This Is England, and more recently ...
Government ‘truthfulness’ on eco-towns questioned
by David Masters
The Government has been caught out exaggerating the environmental credentials of one of its proposed new eco-towns. An advert asking for opinions on a proposed eco-town near Lichfield in Staffordshire said the 5,000 home development, named Curborough, would be built on a brownfield site. The advert read: “An eco-town near you? Curborough, Staffordshire where a bid has been made for 5,000 homes on the brownfield site of the former Fradley airfield.” A complaint ...