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photo by Lordspudz (Flickr CC)
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Tip of the Day
When given the choice, take the stairs instead of the elevator to save energy and workout at the same time!
Petro dollars or renewable energy: Make it while we can?
photo by byronv2 (Flickr CC)
A new study by the WWF says it’s possible to cut global carbon emissions by 80% by the year 2050 by investing heavily in green tech. Kind of like China is doing, but without all the investment in fossil fuels that they are also doing.
The report claims that we could source 95% of our energy from renewables. While we are currently using and demanding more and more energy intensive goods and services, energy saving measures are in fact reducing the actual energy we use.
From an article in the Ecologist
Before pouring billions into creating a new generation of nuclear or gas power stations we need to ask whether that money would be better invested in other, more sustainable energy technologies, especially if these other technologies can create a substantial number of new jobs in the UK.
–Nick Molho, WWF-UK head of energy policy
Be that as it may, European fossil fuel giants BP and Shell are doing OK, despite the former’s recent payouts. The latter, Shell, reported earnings of almost 1.6 million GBP per hour with a yearly profit of 18.6 billion GBP. Their profits have recently risen due to the current unrest in Egypt, which has caused the price per barrel of oil to climb to over $100. It might sound a bit like war profiteering, but that’s the opportunism of capitalism for you.
For more on this story check out the following piece in the Guardian:
Shell makes nearly £1.6m profits every hour
Participate the Guardian’s poll on whether or not oil companies should pay a “supertax” here.
Other Greenfudge.org posts
Space cleaning: NASA is sending a washing machine into space
Scientists from the U.S.have developed a washing machine designed for the International Space Station (ISS). It usespressurized steam, compressed air and microwaves. The machine was constructed on the orders of the American space agency NASA. Until now, the astronauts were provided with new uniforms and other garments by the Progress transport ships, which when the clothing was worn out, or simply dirty, got placed together with other space junk in the modules that would be sent into the atmosphere and burned. However,...
Space news: Oceans on Mars, the apocalypse from above and no more men on the Moon
Scientists at the university of Colorado have discovered evidence that suggests that much of Mars was once covered by ocean. From an article by Australia's ABC News: To test their theory Dr Hynek and Mr Di Achille used global databases of known deltaic deposits and valley networks, together with topography data from a laser altimeter aboard NASA's Mars Observer spacecraft which is orbiting the red planet. If Mars had that much water 3.5 billion years ago, what happened to it? And did it...
Australia and Indonesia Announce Plans to Save Sumatra’s Forests
Sumatra: A large, Indonesian island that is home to over 200 mammal and nearly 600 bird species, including critically endangered animals such as the Sumatran tiger, rhino, and orangutan. It’s also the target of a new environmental initiative launched by Australia and Indonesia. Yesterday, those 2 nations announced a multi-million dollar plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by deforestation and forest degradation on Sumatra. Named the Sumatra Forest Carbon Partnership, immediate action will be taken against threats to forests in...
Green Eggs and… Childcare Development
Have you ever heard the phrase “get them while they’re young”? Well, apparently that also applies to the green lifestyle. German designers GPAC have designed the Discovery Childcare Center: a preschool in the shape of 13 eggs. These egg structures can be moved and positioned in a number of ways. They are also connected by a common area, dubbed the “Discovery Zone”. In this zone will be a number of activities—such as arts & crafts, exercise, and theater performances—that will aid...
Video: Danish family uses wind turbine to power home
A National Geographic video report from last November offers an inspiring example of one family who are making a serious commitment to energy independence and sustainability. What electricity they don't use from their turbine can be sold to neighboring families. The family also plans on buying an electric car and charging it with wind power. Family Wind Turbines Gain Momentum Part of a growing trend, a Danish family of seven has installed its own wind turbine to produce all the electricity the...
British rubbish: That’s your lot
Cold, dark and grimy. I sure picked a good year to move to London. Besides the economic downturn and an increase in VAT, the city – along with the rest of the UK – has apparently gotten dirtier. Besides lousy pollution levels, an exceptionally cold winter and beaches covered in rubbish, there's a bunch of weirdos hanging plastic bags of dog shit from trees. That's the main focus of an article in the London Times, which moans about gangsta wannabes who...
Farmville: Urban farms are sprouting up
In San Francisco, California and Berlin, Germany, urban farms and gardens are popping up like weeds. In the San Francisco Bay area, which includes cities such as Oakland and Berkley, farming regulations are being modernized to include legal provisions for urban agriculture. Rooftops, derelict plots and median strips are being transformed into gardens by progressive new local government directives. Berkeley soon will take up a measure to allow residents to sell raw agricultural products from home without a costly permit. And Oakland has...
IWC Whaling Conference = Epic Fail; Captain Paul Watson of Sea Shepherd Wanted by Interpol
It seems that whenever there is a major (or at least rather anticipated) conference or meeting that is supposed to solve some ongoing environmental issue, it always fails. Either the people at the meeting can’t agree on anything and it’s all called off, or they scrap up some last minute deal that really amounts to nothing, or the decision is postponed for 6 month to a year (or longer). The latest IWC whaling conference in Morocco is no different. Nothing was...
Russia’s wildfires cover Moscow in smoke
Wildfires continue to spread in Russia, with an additional 270 igniting just within the past day or so. According to Russia’s emergency ministry, a total of 554 wildfires are currently burning over an area of 190,000 hectares (470,000 acres). So far 276 fires have been extinguished. Smoke from the fires is blanketing Moscow and preventing air traffic. The city experienced carbon monoxide at 6 times the maximum permitted level. From a CNN report: According to Russia's health and social development ministry, wildfires have killed...
After 50 Years, Zimbabwe’s Starvation Island is Living Up to its Name
In northern Zimbabwe, on their border with Zambia, you’ll find Lake Kariba: the largest artificial lake and reservoir in the world. On this lake, you’ll find 102 islands, including one with the rather unsettling name of Starvation Island. For the first time in 50 years, the island is living up to its name. According to conservationists, the waters of Lake Kariba are on the rise and have submerged much of the grazing land found on Starvation Island. The island was named...
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