Other Greenfudge.org posts

Ireland: The need for green infrastructure on Europe’s ‘Emerald Isle’



Ireland industrialized and urbanized both later and to a lesser extent than many other European countries. It is known for its beautiful green countryside and pastoral villages and is considered to have low pollution levels in terms of water and air quality. Yet Ireland lost most of its forestland long ago due to the widespread establishment of agriculture. This put stresses on the survival native species, but hedgerows, riverbanks and other ‘green corridors’ still enable vestiges of Ireland’s native ecosystems to...




In Climate & Change, Politics, Wildlife & Flora, 18 Sep 2010

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Switchgrass – America’s own biofuel. But is it any good?



In previous pieces we’ve looked at biofuels in general and at some different examples like the plainly lousy palm oil or the more promising and proven sugar cane. Less is known about others such as jatropha and green algae, but it is clear that all have their potential advantages as well as disadvantages, some already demonstrated. Let us now examine switchgrass, a plant native to North America, which was widespread before European-style farming transformed much of the landscape where it once...




In Climate & Change, Science & Technology, 17 Oct 2009

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Breaking: 702 dead from mudslides in China; 1,500 dead in Pakistan floods



On Saturday heavy rains fell on Gansu province in northern China, resulting in landslides which buried at least three villages. The death toll from the mudslides has now reached 702, according to Chinese officials, with more than 1,000 people still missing. China has been experiencing its most severe flooding in a decade – and more rain is forecast for later in the week. Rescue efforts are at their most intense in Zhouqu county, the area worst hit by the floods. From an AFP report: More...




In Climate & Change, Nature, 10 Aug 2010

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Green economy: Spain faces slow start for electric cars – What does it mean?



The government of Spain’s electric vehicle scheme has so far failed to take off. Spain’s plans to fill its roads with electric cars, which can top up at service stations and converted phone booths across the country, have hit a bump in the road. So far only 16 electric cars have been sold in Spain this year. This is a 16-fold improvement over last year, but far short of the goal of 2,000 for this year and seems destined to fail...




In Business, Politics, 11 Aug 2010

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US President Obama Defends Climate Change, Lectures Skeptics



Snowfall does not mean climate change isn’t real. Don’t believe me? Well, then you might want to take matters up with the US President, who will tell you the same thing. On Friday, US President Barack Obama gave a nice little lecture to climate change skeptics. Using recent unusual weather pattern samples, such as lack of snow at the Vancouver Winter Olympics opposed to snowstorms in the Deep South, he stated: “Opponents of climate change, they say—‘see, look at that, there is...




In Climate & Change, Politics, 21 Feb 2010

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The Cove team bust U.S. whale restaurant



Back in the headlines after a triumphant Oscar win for Best Documentary Feature, the makers of the anti dolphin slaughter and capture film The Cove have not been relaxing in the glow surrounding the awards ceremonies. According to an article in the Guardian, The Cove's director Louie Psihoyos and company have helped bust an American sushi restaurant for serving whale meat. Called The Hump, the Santa Monica, California establishment was filmed serving sei whale meat to undercover members of the crew...




In Climate & Change, Nature, Wildlife & Flora, 10 Mar 2010

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Cold War cats: Could ‘extinct’ Korean tigers be hiding in the DMZ?



Demilitarized Zone is sometimes referred to as Korea's 'accidental paradise'; a 155-mile (249 km) long buffer zone between North and South Korea's heavily militarized borders. CNN Eco Solutions follows some local wildlife enthusiasts as they search for tigers in the DMZ. Tigers are generally believed to be extinct in Korea, but the DMZ offers a uniquely peaceful and human-free environment for native wildlife, including rare birds, water deer, and perhaps even endangered bear and leopard populations. So perhaps there are tigers...




In Nature, Videos & Documentaries, Wildlife & Flora, 15 May 2010

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Creature Feature: The Boreal Felt Lichen



This week’s Creature Feature takes us to the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska to find a species that is one of the most endangered in the world. The Boreal Felt Lichen (so named for its appearance) is a foliose cyanolichen and one of the most endangered lichen species in the world. When dry, the lichen appears to be gray-brown in color and when wet, the lichen turns to a nice shade of slate-blue. Underneath, you’ll find white coloring and the...




In Nature, Weird & Wonderful, Wildlife & Flora, 16 Jun 2010

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Video: Orca attacks school of sharks



A killer whale (orca) was caught on film hunting sharks at a New Zealand beach. One sizable shark was driven onto the sand by the orca, where a local dog began circling and barking at it. The story has been reported by several news agencies, using the amateur footage, but leave it to ITN News to include the best bits – particularly the part with the dog. Killer whales are intelligent, skilled hunters and sit at the top of the marine food...




In Animals, Videos & Documentaries, 9 Jan 2012

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Brazil’s ‘Green Revolution’: Economic growth at any cost



The original Green Revolution was essentially a Cold War tactic of the United States to win over Third World countries by supplying them with agricultural technology, thereby dramatically increasing their food production. The main recipients of Green Revolution techniques were India, Mexico and the Philippines, as well as some African countries (with markedly less success). Although the Green Revolution increased food production, it has its drawbacks and criticisms: unsustainable population growth – leading to mass starvation; genetically weak and less biodiverse...




In Climate & Change, Conservation, Pollution, 27 Dec 2011

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