Eco-Portal: An Information Gateway Empowering the Movement for Environmental Sustainability
Earth News
October 10, 2008
- "Lost" deer rediscovered in Indonesia
OSLO (Reuters) - A "lost" type of deer has been found on a remote mountainside in Indonesia's Sumatra island 80 years after the last confirmed sighting, experts said Friday.- 2 days
source: ( Reuters: Environment) - 5 Top Google Searches During the Presidential Debate
During the debate, the most common Google query was Teddy Roosevelt's "walk softly" motto. - 2 days
source: (U.S. News) - Make Any Job a Green Job—and Ace Your Interview
You don't have to be an architect or scientist to make green knowledge valuable at your job. - 2 days
source: (U.S. News) - Canada in 2020 - Environment: The long view (Canadian Business)
Few have seen what Dr. Roberta Bondar has seen. As the first neurologist and first Canadian woman in space, she has looked at our planet from beyond the Earth’s atmosphere. She also sees through the eyes of a scientist, a medical doctor, an accomplished photographer and a business adviser. - 2 days
source: (Yahoo! News Search Results for environment) - The Palin Plane and the Troopergate Report
A plane, a plane, my governship for a plane! - 2 days
source: (U.S. News) - Public Opinion: Is the Obama-McCain Race Over?
Obama has built as substantial lead in the polls. Is it too much for McCain to overcome? - 2 days
source: (U.S. News) - Nations agree to slash sulfur ship emission by 2015
LONDON (Reuters) - Countries have agreed new sulfur limits for ship fuels that will slash air pollutants and clean up the world's oceans, but raise costs for the oil and ship industry, a maritime industry source said on Friday.- 2 days
source: ( Reuters: Environment) - Windation: urban wind inspired by ancient Persia
A new company, Windation Energy Systems, has developed a wind-power machine inspired by an centuries-old idea: Persian "wind catchers."
Windation's wind appliance looks more or less like the modern heating and cooling equipment you see on flat corporate building rooftops.
... - 2 days
A wind power appliance that looks more like an
source: ( Green Tech ) - Green alarm as EU ministers mull climate opt-outs
LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) - France, Germany and Austria called on Friday for an easing of EU climate ambitions to help industries facing an economic downturn, causing green groups to warn that the battle against climate change was in jeopardy.- 2 days
source: ( Reuters: Environment) - Phoenix to get money from hazardous-waste suit
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has reached an agreement with south Phoenix residents, legislators and other officials who were upset that money recently received in a major hazardous-waste ...
- 2 days
source: (Environmental News) - Green news harvest: Ill winds for carbon trading
- UN: Financial chills are ill wind for climate - The Associated Press
The Kyoto Protocol is structured around investing in projects that clean up pollution, often in developing countries. Without active financing, that could slow dramatically, says UN negotiator. - What to expect from cleantech in the downturn - VentureBeat
Further
source: ( Green Tech ) - UN: Financial chills are ill wind for climate - The Associated Press
- Tonen to build battery parts plant
The Exxon Mobil affiliate will manufacture battery separator films in South Korea for the lithium-ion market. - 2 days
source: (Cleantech Group - Latest clean technology news) - Artisan - Promoting Fair Trade: Thai Tribal Crafts
Slash and burn agriculture is a thing of the past in Thailand, but what about the tribal people who relied on such methods for survival? In their struggle to support their loved ones, these resourceful inhabitants discovered the true value of their craft traditions. With the help of Thai Tribal Crafts, a non-profit agency working to promote fair trade in this region, their handmade goods are marketed to consumers around the world. As a result, many families are free of their dependence on obsolete agricultural practices and able to enhance their nutrition, medical care and education. Visit Novica for a diverse selection of products that are available thanks to Thai Tribal Crafts. - 2 days
source: (Ecosalon) - Fashion - Wearing Eco on the Inside and Out
Sometimes I wonder if the small eco-efforts I make each day actually affect anything at all, let alone the larger eco-atmosphere. At other times I haven’t a worry or a wonder, and am grateful to carry on with my day changing what I can.
I do know that the green movement is firmly established as a lifestyle choice, and not just a fickle trend. Today we have so many options (the internet is eco-shopping saturated), as well as a multitude of reasons (the air, our health, the soil and water, the animals). There's simply no excuse not to be fashion forward and eco-responsible.
So when I learn of another chic boutique showcasing the best and brightest environmentally conscious designers, I’m eager to spread the news. embodies works with a select group whose fabric, dye, manufacturing and packaging choices express the company's dedication to sustainable design and a healthy lifestyle.
The website defines the company name - "to represent in bodily or material form a new consciousness of what we choose to wear and its impact on the environment and our own health." In other words, what we wear on the outside reflects and affects how we feel on the inside. embodies does its best to follow strict eco-business standards as well. Even the store mannequins are reclaimed and recycled.
Shop online or visit the Larkspur, California boutique and choose from designers like Lara Miller, Form & Fauna (I adore the heels shown above), Prairie Underground (check out this long hoodie) and Peligrosa.
Wear eco on the inside and out. - 2 days
source: (Ecosalon) - Lifestyle - 12 Green Gifts Ideas for the Eco Hostess
Let's just say a friend of a friend, who happens to be an Eco Goddess, is throwing a party and you’re invited. You want to impress her with your eco smarts and the best first impression is the gift you bring to show your appreciation. Here are some truly green gift ideas to suit all budgets.
Bouquet of Organic Flowers. It’s an old standby, but you can mention that they were grown chemical free, so they’re safe to smell to your heart’s content.
Aloe Vera Plant. A gift that truly keeps giving. Beautiful, exotic and medicinal. Who wouldn’t appreciate one of these?
Bottle of Organic Wine. We’ve already compiled a list of our favorites.
Organic Olive Oil and Aged Balsamic Vinegar. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to taste them with fresh bread at the party.
Organic, Fair-Trade Artisan Chocolates. I love Theo Chocolate’s delectable confection boxes.
Palm Wax Candles. This set of chakra candles is very cool gift for the hip hostess.
Fair-Trade, Organic Tea Sampler. Arbor Teas and VivaTerra both have beautiful gift sets.
Fair trade, Organic Soaps. Try this set in a hand woven basket from the Zambian Soap Company and support African families, or support local artisans and pick up something at the farmer’s market.
Artisanal Sea Salt. Pinch, don't pour.
Organic Peppermint Bark. Have you tried this stuff? It's amazing. Dark chocolate and peppermint, married in delicious delight.
Organic Olive Lover’s Gift Set. Who doesn’t love olives?
Angel Face Botanicals Lavender Lover’s Eco-Spa Deluxe Gift Set. I can personally vouch that Angel Face products are divine.
- 2 days
source: (Ecosalon) - Hot Docs: Todd Palin's Role in Troopergate, Petraeus on Iraq, Rising Healthcare
Today's selection of timely reports. - 2 days
source: (U.S. News) - ARB Begins Enforcing Anti-Idling Program
The California Air Resources Board has begun enforcing recently enacted anti-idling program for diesel engines that will reduce particulate matter emissions throughout the state.
California ARB staff and local air quality officials throughout the state will monitor sleeper berths and commercial on and off-road diesel vehicles where they operate. First time violations, idling for greater than five minutes, will receive a minimum civil penalty of $300. Subsequent penalties can be from $1,000 to $10,000. Owners, renters or lessees will be responsible for the penalty.
Regulations limiting idling of on-road commercial diesel-engine vehicles to five minutes have been in effect for several years now and for sleeper berth trucks since January of 2008. The regulations addressing the idling of off-road diesel vehicles became effective in June of 2008. Industries were given a grace period allowing them to inform themselves and their staff of the new requirements.
In a case where an off-road vehicle is observed idling for more than five minutes, enforcement officials will contact the operator and site supervisor to determine the reason. If the reason is not exempted, as some clauses of the regulation allow, and the instance is a first time violation, a $300 per day citation will be issued to the owner, renter or lessee of the vehicle.
Diesel exhaust contains a variety of harmful gases and more than 40 other known cancer-causing compounds. In 1998, California identified diesel particulate matter as a toxic air contaminant based on its potential to cause cancer, premature death, and other health problems.
This fall the ARB will consider further measures to reduce emissions from heavy-duty diesel trucks. Over the past 10 years ARB has adopted regulations affecting cargo-handling equipment, transport refrigeration units, truck idling, off-road equipment, harbor craft, port drayage trucks, onboard incineration, and ships at-berth.
The public can report an idling violation by contacting the Air Resources Board at 1-800-END-SMOG (1-800-363-7664) or online at http://www.arb.ca.gov/enf/complaints/complaints.htm.
- 2 days
source: (Green Car Congress) - US DOT to Establish New National Network of Marine Highways for Cargo, Offloading Roads
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) will establish a new national network of short sea transportation routes to help move cargo across the country in order to cut congestion on some of the nation’s busiest roads.
The Department’s “Marine Highways” initiative calls for the selection and designation of key maritime inland and coastal maritime corridors as marine highways. These routes will be eligible for up to $25 million in existing federal capital construction funds. The communities involved will continue to qualify for up to $1.7 billion in federal highway congestion mitigation and air quality (CMAQ) funds.
Overall, the DOT estimates that congestion on roads, bridges, railways, and in certain ports costs the United States as much as $200 billion a year, with the figure continuing to grow. Experts project that cargoes moving through US ports will nearly double over the next 15 years. Most of this additional cargo will ultimately move along surface transportation corridors, many of which are already at or beyond capacity. Some 92% of all domestic freight currently moves on road and rail infrastructure.
US waterways, consisting of more than 25,000 miles of inland, intracoastal, and coastal waterways, already transport about 1 billion tons of domestic cargo annually, and has considerable room to grow, according to the US Army Corps of Engineers.
The Marine Highways program has four primary components:
Marine Highway Corridors. Marine Highway Corridors are to serve as extensions of the surface transportation system and consist of the navigable coastal, inland, and intracoastal waters of the United States, to support the movement of passengers and cargo between US ports, or between US ports and unloaded either at a port in Canada located in the Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway System; or loaded at a port in Canada located in the Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway System and unloaded at a port in the United States, relieving landside congestion.
Marine Highway Project Designations. This regulation establishes the goals and methods by which specific Marine Highway Projects will be identified and designated by the Secretary of Transportation. The purpose is to mitigate landside congestion by designating projects that, if successfully started, expanded, or otherwise enhanced, would provide the greatest benefit to the public in terms of congestion relief, improved air quality, reduced energy consumption, infrastructure construction and maintenance savings, improved safety, and long-term economic viability. Designated Marine Highway Projects may receive direct support from the Department of Transportation.
Incentives, Impediments and Solutions. This component of the program is to identify short-term incentives and solutions to impediments in order to encourage use of the Marine Highway for freight and passengers.
Research. The Department of Transportation, working with the Environmental Protection Agency, will conduct research to support America’s Marine Highway and to encourage multi-state planning. Research would include environmental and transportation impacts (benefits and costs), technology, vessel design, and solutions to impediments to the Marine Highway.
Navigable waterways that parallel corridors already designated as “Corridors of the Future” under DOT’s National Strategy to Reduce Congestion will be fast-tracked for designation as Marine Highway Corridors.
The DOT has designated six interstate routes as Corridors of the Future:
- I-95 from Florida to the Canadian border;
- I-70 in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio;
- I-15 in Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and California;
- I-5 in California, Oregon, and Washington;
- I-10 from California to Florida; and
- I-69 from Michigan to Texas.
This initiative does more than simply add new lines to a map. It makes our roads safer, expands our capacity for moving goods and reflects the kind of 21st century innovation we are going to need to be competitive in today’s global marketplace. These highways have no stoplights, traffic or potholes. Sometimes transportation solutions require new concrete, but other times the answer is as simple as using existing water.
—US Deputy Secretary of Transportation Thomas BarrettThe interim final rule is available for review and will go into effect after a 120-day comment period.
Resources
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source: (Green Car Congress) - Beijing to ban half its cars during high pollution
AP - Beijing will ban half of its 3.4 million cars from the roads during periods of very heavy pollution, a state news report said Friday.
- 2 days
source: (Yahoo! Green: News) - Citroën Evaluating Feasibility of Producing Car Based on C-Cactus Concept
Citroën has embarked on a new project to look into the feasibility of producing an ultra-environmentally friendly vehicle based on the C-Cactus concept car, first unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show as a diesel-electric hybrid. (Earlier post.) At the Paris Motor Show this year, Citroën presented an electric-powered version of C-Cactus.
The C-Cactus. The project will consider a range of powerplants including a 1.0 liter, sub-100g/km CO2 gasoline engine, a HYmotion2 diesel–electric hybrid returning around 83 mpg US (2.8 L/100km) and CO2 emissions of just 78g/km; or a lithium-ion powered electric model, similar to the version on display at the Paris, with a top speed and range of almost 70 mph and 100 miles respectively.
The C-Cactus represents a new approach to eco-friendly design. The radical, essentialist vehicle, with its emphasis on environmental technology, features a simplified design throughout, significantly reducing the number of components and leading to a reduction in weight, cost and the impact on the environment.
Removing features that are non-essential to the running of the car or the comfort and safety of the occupants – even doing away with the dashboard – has resulted in an interior comprising around half the parts of a similarly-sized conventional car. The door panels are made of just two parts, compared to twelve in a conventional car and many components are made from recycled materials.
- 2 days
source: (Green Car Congress)
