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Earth News
June 10, 2008
- EU Commission welcomes Franco-German car CO2 plan
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - An agreement between Germany and France on cutting carbon dioxide emissions from new cars received a welcome from the European Commission on Tuesday, but carmakers and green groups criticized the compromise.- 7 months
source: ( Reuters: Environment) - EU Commission welcomes Franco-German car CO2 plan
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - An agreement between Germany and France on cutting carbon dioxide emissions from new cars received a welcome from the European Commission on Tuesday, but carmakers and green groups criticized the compromise.- 7 months
source: ( Reuters: Environment) - China holds funeral for panda killed by earthquake
AP - Nearly a month after China's devastating earthquake, the Wolong Nature Reserve held a funeral Tuesday for a panda that was crushed in the temblor.
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source: (Yahoo! Green News) - Trump faces critics of $2 billion golf resort
Donald Trump argued his case Tuesday for the construction of a $2 billion golf resort on a stretch of coast in Scotland after months of acrimony between the billionaire and local residents.
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source: (msnbc.com: Environment) - DOE Hydrogen Merit Review Meeting Will Highlight Advances in A Number of Areas
The US Department of Energy (DOE) is holding its annual merit review and peer evaluation for the Hydrogen Program this week in Washington DC.
The scale of the program—which now spans areas including basic science, hydrogen production and delivery; storage; fuel cells; technology validation; safety, codes and standards; manufacturing; analysis; and education—has grown rapidly, said JoAnn Milliken, the DOE’s Hydrogen Program Manager, in her opening remarks on Monday.
The review this week—involving some 200 peer reviewers—will cover about 300 projects, representing about $270 million in DOE funding. That funding is triple the amount five years ago. Some 1,000 attendees are registered for the review week.
Combined with outlays from other DOE groups and Federal agencies, the US government is currently investing more than $500 million in hydrogen-related research.
The merit review process is one of the mechanisms through which the DOE, with the assistance of the peer reviewers, assess progress on the various R&D initiatives underway funding with possible outcomes including some fine-tuning of scope and focus, potential adjustments of funding levels, and the “down select”, or cancellation of a project or approach. The basic format is for one of the principals involved in the project to present a structured overview, including a description of goals and findings, accomplishments, and next steps.
As part of her introductory remarks, Milliken highlighted several projects and areas that will be discussed in greater detail during this week. Among those are:
In the fuel cell area, 3M has developed an MEA with more than 7,300 hours of durability. The DOE target of 5,000 hours is equivalent to 150,000 miles in a vehicle. The new MEA, said Milliken, is a very significant accomplishment and shows great promise.
Researchers achieved 67% efficiency with electrolyzers, with higher output pressure and lower capital costs.
Lab scale work showed the feasibility of nuclear hydrogen production.
Researchers have identified storage materials appropriate for on-board storage with capabilities of up to 10% by weight.
Progress has been made in the solar production of hydrogen, both thermochemical and photocatalytic.
More than one million miles have been travelled by the validation fleets on the road in the US.
source: (Green Car Congress) - Out of the frying pan and into the power grid
If fry grease can run a Mercedes, why can't it power the restaurant it came from?
That's the idea behind Owl Power System's Vegawatt power system, a machine that converts a restaurant's waste oil into electricity and hot water.
... - 7 months
A concept drawing of the Vegawatt system
source: (Green Tech ) - Lifestyle - Greenopia: It's a Regional Thing
Being "over here" in the U.K., I tend to forget (as many Brits do) how huge the U.S. is.....and how frustrating it must be to hear about an enticing new eco-restaurant or artisan fair that's a day's drive away, or more. Meanwhile, you're stuck with Denny's. There's a site... - 7 months
source: (EcoSalon - The Green Gathering) - Wellness - Michael Pollan Plants the Seeds for a Better Farm Bill
Last week we gave a quick summary of the recently passed farm bill. It's curious to me that even though people were more engaged in the process than ever before - writing letters to Congress in support of more money for organics,... - 7 months
source: (EcoSalon - The Green Gathering) - Toyota to Boost Diesel Engine Output in Thailand
Siam Toyota Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (STM), Toyota’s engine production base in Thailand, will build a new plant to boost its annual diesel engine production capacity by 150,000 units in 2010.
The new plant, to be built on STM’s current premises, will give STM an annual diesel engine production capacity of 350,000 units, up from 200,000 units. Including gasoline engines, STM will have an overall production capacity of 650,000 engines a year.
As a global production and supply base for the Innovative International Multi-purpose Vehicle (IMV) Project, begun in 2004, STM provides diesel engines to IMV-producing countries. In 2007, STM produced 229,000 diesel engines, of which 72,000 were exported to six countries, including India and ASEAN member countries.
The STM expansion is to meet increasing demand for the IMV series, which is popular in various regions around the world, and will be backed by an additional investment of approximately ¥17.3 billion yen (US$162 million).
Currently, the IMV series consists of three types of pickup truck, a minivan and an SUV.
- 7 months
source: (Green Car Congress) - Sun Microsystems Study Finds Open Work Program Reduces Energy Consumption, Saves Time and Money
Sun Microsystems’s Open Work Energy Measurement Project, an internal study comparing the home and office energy use of more than 100 participants in its flexible work program, found that working at home an average of 2.5 days/week saved energy, time and money.
Key findings of the study include:
Employees saved more than $1,700 per year in gasoline and wear and tear on their vehicles by working at home an average of 2.5 days a week.
Office equipment energy consumption rate at a Sun office was two times that of home office equipment energy consumption, from approximately 64 watts per hour at home to 130 watts per hour at a Sun office.
Commuting was more than 98% of each employee’s carbon footprint for work, compared to less than 1.7% of total carbon emissions to power office equipment.
By eliminating commuting just 2.5 days per week, an employee reduces energy used for work by the equivalent of 5,400 Kilowatt hours/year.
Working from home 2.5 days per week saved the employees in the study an average of 2.5 weeks of commute time (8 hours/day, 5 days/week).
Sun’s Open Work platform is an integrated suite of technologies, tools and workplace practices that enable Sun employees to work effectively anywhere, anytime, using any device. Through this program, nearly 19,000 employees around the world work from home or in a flexible office, representing more than 56% of Sun’s employee population.
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source: (Green Car Congress) - Decor - A Pre Fab-ULOUS Show at MOMA
Although L.A. has its share of great cultural centers, I often wish I lived in New York if only for the incredible, awe-inspiring multitude of museums. There’s always something to see. One show I’m dying to get to is MOMA’s ... - 7 months
source: (EcoSalon - The Green Gathering) - Senate works on lowering oil prices
The Senate is voting on an energy bill designed to force oil prices down by taxing oil companies and granting federal authority to sue OPEC nations in U.S. courts. But Sam Eaton reports the move may be little more than PR in an election year. - 7 months
source: (Marketplace - Sustainability) - German industry gives lukewarm welcome to CO2 deal
BERLIN (Reuters) - German industry groups gave a lukewarm welcome on Tuesday to an agreement reached by Paris and Berlin on cutting average carbon dioxide emissions for new cars.- 7 months
source: ( Reuters: Environment) - United Nations Environment Programme (United Nations Environment Programme)
Africa, the continent most vulnerable to climate change, contributes little to global greenhouse gas emissions. How will the vulnerable populations, sectors and regions cope with the consequences of climate change? African environment ministers are poised to take action, what should they do? - 7 months
source: (Yahoo! News Search Results for environment) - DED celebrates World Environment Day by rolling out various 'green' initiatives (AME Info)
The Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) has launched a series of environment-friendly initiatives to mark World Environment Day. - 7 months
source: (Yahoo! News Search Results for environment) - Survey: Gas Prices Force Consumer Change
Pain at the pump: A new survey of some 43,000 consumers shows that rising gasoline prices are beginning to modify the way people work and travel.
The study, which was conducted by the New York-based NPD Group, reveals that consumers are making two kinds of changes. The first — and most common — variety are temporary in nature, and could be easily reversed if gasoline prices were to decline. This tier of belt tightening included such actions as modifying vacation plans, carpooling, and resorting to public transportation.But a second group indicates drivers believe higher energy prices are likely to remain for the long haul. They include big ticket purchases, such as more fuel efficient vehicles, and a measurable uptick in telecommuting or working from home.
Buying a more efficient auto or selling a larger one, moving closer to work, and perhaps telecommuting are the kind of systematic changes which likely reflect a permanent values shift on behalf of the survey group. Depending on how you tally the results, between 17 and 23 percent of the study panel have made lasting changes in view of higher fuel prices.
This is a considerable percentage, particularly when the relatively short duration of the current fuel pinch is taken into consideration. Last December, average U.S. gasoline prices were just under three dollars per gallon. For a one dollar premium over a six month period, 17 percent represents something of a sea change.
We at GM don’t think this is a spike or a temporary shift. We believe that it is, by and large, permanent.
– General Motors Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner on new consumer attitudes
The NPD Group, founded in 1967, is a global provider of consumer and retail market research information for a wide range of industries.
More Reading:
NPD Finds Consumers Making Long-Term Changes (NPD Group)
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source: (EcoTech Daily) - The Daily Five: Tuesday, 10 June, 2008
High fuel prices are finally changing drivers’ habits; biodiesel prices soar out of sight; and that Playstation 3 of yours is an energy hog. It’s the Tuesday edition of The Daily Five.
NPD Finds Consumers Making Long-Term Changes: With $4 a gallon gasoline finally here — and the prospect of higher prices ahead — are people finally taking things seriously? Yes, says a new research project by the NPD Group. Some 43,000 drivers were surveyed to see how their habits have changed in recent months. The results: 12 percent says they’ve canceled vacations; another 12 percent are carpooling; 8 percent vacationed closer to home or have tried public transportation, respectively; and 6 percent have bought a more efficient vehicle o started telecommuting. (NPD Group)
Think $4 Gas Is Bad? Try $6 Biodiesel: Gasoline isn’t the only thing going up: biodiesel prices are also setting new records. That’s causing some companies to rethink switching their fleets from regular diesel. The cost increases are partially due to escalating production cost and sharply rising demand. But at least part of the problem lies with farmers, who are choosing to grow more profitable corn stocks for ethanol, rather than the soybeans commonly used in biodiesel. The best short term hope for biodiesel startups: rising diesel costs. A break on soybean proces would be helpful, too. (Earth2Tech)
GM - Chevy Volt Battery Contract Not Decided Yet: General Motors scrambled the talking heads Monday. The Pr blitz followed reports this weekend — reported here on EcoTech daily — that Korea’s LG Chem had landed the battery contract for the upcoming Chevy Volt electric hybrid. No so, says GM spokesman Rob Peterson: both Conti/A123 and CPI/LG Chem are still under consideration. We’ll keep you posted. (GM-Volt blog)
Toxic Algal Blooms May Cause Seizures In California Sea Lions: California’s iconic sea lions have long struggled to live side-by-side with humans. Now researchers have identified a fresh threat: algal blooms, which have become increasingly common in coastal areas. The current online issue of Marine Drugs points a finger at domoic acid, which is produced by algal blooms and makes its way up the food chain to the sea lions. Domoic acid appoears responsible for seizures and nervous disorders in sea lions. The blooms are caused by human sewage and nitrate-rich agricultural runoff. (Science Daily)
Playstation 3 is a Huge Energy Hog: If you own a Sony PS3, you probably already know that it runs as hot as a Victorian waffle iron. There’s a reason for all that heat — it’s a power pig. The folks at EarthFirst.com report that the Playstation 3 consumes five times more energy than a medium-sized refrigerator, and ten times more than than Ninendo’s beloved Wii. It’s perhaps another reason Playstation sales have remained lukewarm.
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source: (EcoTech Daily) - ENPARK pioneers drive to promote carbon neutral environment in UAE (AME Info)
In line with the World Environment Day 2008 theme 'CO2-Kick the Habit' that aims to achieve a low carbon economy, the Energy and Environment Park (ENPARK), a fully comprehensive eco friendly community for commercial and residential use, and a member of TECOM Business Parks, announced it will drive a carbon footprint assessment across all TECOM Business Parks in collaboration with EcoVentures, ... - 7 months
source: (Yahoo! News Search Results for environment) - Study blames regulatory environment for corruption in Hungary (Budapest Business Journal)
Though Hungary's corporate and competition law are adequate, the country's broader regulatory environment contributes to systemic corruption in the country, Transparency International (TI) said. - 7 months
source: (Yahoo! News Search Results for environment) - Toyota to Produce Camry Hybrid in Australia
Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) will begin producing the Camry Hybrid at the Altona Plant of Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Ltd. (TMCA), as part of an effort to further popularize hybrid vehicles worldwide.
We decided to build the Camry Hybrid in Australia because Australians are keenly aware of environmental issues including global warming, and we are confident that the Camry Hybrid will be well received. Toyota intends to make further efforts toward popularizing hybrid vehicles.
—TMC President Katsuaki WatanabeProduction of the Camry Hybrid at the Altona Plant (in the State of Victoria in southeastern Australia) will commence in early 2010, with an annual production target of 10,000 vehicles. Capacity of the Altona Plant is 150,000 units per year.
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source: (Green Car Congress)