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Meat is murder on the environment

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 22:45:28 GMT

clipped by: ecopirate

Clip Source: environment.newscientist.com

A kilogram of beef is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions and other pollution than driving for 3 hours while leaving all the lights on back home.

This is among the conclusions of a study by Akifumi Ogino of the National Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science in Tsukuba, Japan

Their analysis showed that producing a kilogram of beef leads to the emission of greenhouse gases with a warming potential equivalent to 36.4 kilograms of carbon dioxide. It also releases fertilising compounds equivalent to 340 grams of sulphur dioxide and 59 grams of phosphate, and consumes 169 megajoules of energy

In other words, a kilogram of beef is responsible for the equivalent of the amount of CO₂ emitted by the average European car every 250 kilometres, and burns enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for nearly 20 days.

Tags: eco.alert, environment

Decoding Mushroom's Secrets Could Combat Carbon, Find Better Biofuels & Safer Soils

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 18:13:17 GMT

clipped by: ecopirate

Clip Source: www.sciencedaily.com

Researchers at the University of Warwick are co-ordinating a global effort to sequence the genome of one of the World’s most important mushrooms - Agaricus bisporus. The secrets of its genetic make up could assist the creation of biofuels, support the effort to manage global carbon, and help remove heavy metals from contaminated soils.

The Agaricus mushroom family are highly efficient ‘secondary decomposers’ of plant material such as leaves and litter – breaking down the material that is too tough for other fungi and bacteria to handle.

By sequencing the full genome of the mushroom, researchers hope to uncover exactly which genes are key to this process.

That information will be extremely useful to scientists and engineers looking to maximize the decomposition and transformation of plant material into bio fuels.

Tags: environment, eco.success, science

Butterfly Evolves Lightning Fast

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 13:29:01 GMT

clipped by: ecopirate

Clip Source: news.nationalgeographic.com

The continuing battle between a butterfly and the bacteria that nearly wiped out all the insect species' males has taken a sudden and unexpected turn.

In just a few years, the butterfly has evolved a way to evade the bacteria's tightly controlling grip.

The findings show that evolution can strike in a flash, even after long periods of time with little change

For at least a century, according to the experts, bacteria called Wolbachia had been playing puppet master with Hypolimnas bolina butterflies found on two Samoan islands

But males made a comeback in 2006, the researchers found, with nearly as many of them as females.

The shift happened in five years or less—just ten generations for the butterflies—according to the new study, which will appear tomorrow in the journal Science.

This is a "very, very fast evolutionary change, possibly the fastest ever monitored," Charlat said.

Tags: environment, eco.success, biology

29 tips to lower gas consumption

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 04:11:39 GMT

clipped by: ecopirate
clipper's remarks: follow the link to read details for 29 tips to lower gas consumption

Clip Source: www.opentravelinfo.com

There are many things you can do, aside from going out and buying a more fuel efficient car, that will help you tremendously to cut down your gasoline expenses. Many require only minor adjustments to your driving style.

Brake the right way

Turn off your air condition

Shifting Manual

Reduce weight

Turn your car off

Drive slower

Ride the slipstream

Close your windows

Pick a better route

Reduce drag

Air filters

Turn off the lights

Combine Trips

Tags: environment, eco.tips

Ancient Fish Discovered Alive In Modern Times

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 03:21:48 GMT

clipped by: ecopirate

Clip Source: news.yahoo.com

A coelacanth, an ancient fish once thought to have become extinct when it disappeared from fossil records 80 million years ago, is shown in Nairobi, Kenya, in this Novemeber 21, 2001 file photo. Fishermen in Zanzibar have caught a coelacanth, an official said on Sunday. (George Mulala/Reuters)

Tags: science

China's Demand For Recycled Wastepaper

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 13:20:28 GMT

clipped by: ecopirate

Clip Source: www.sciencedaily.com

China's paper industry has built-up a massive recycling capacity that is shielding forests worldwide from destruction by supporting a strong international market for wastepaper as an alternative to pulpwood, according to a new report released by Forest Trends, a leading international forestry organization.

The Forest Trends report, Environmental Aspects of China's Papermaking Fiber Supply, notes that today about 60 percent of the fiber used to manufacture paper and paper board products in China is derived from wastepaper--a substantial portion of which comes from the US, Europe, and Japan. In the last ten years China's wastepaper imports increased by more than 500 percent--from 3.1 million metric tons in 1996 to 19.6 million metric tons in 2006--with most of that growth occurring between 2002 and 2006.

Tags: environment, eco.success

ealthful Compounds In Tomatoes Increase Over Time In Organic Fields

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 01:13:32 GMT

clipped by: ecopirate

Clip Source: www.sciencedaily.com

Researchers compared levels of key flavonoids in tomatoes harvested over a 10-year period from two matched fields -- one farmed organically and the other with conventional methods that included commercial fertilizers.

Levels of flavonoids increase over time in crops grown in organically farmed fields

Other research has suggested that consumption of flavonoids may protect against cancer, heart disease, and other age-related diseases.

In the new study, Alyson E. Mitchell and colleagues compared levels of key flavonoids in tomatoes harvested over a 10-year period from two matched fields — one farmed organically and the other with conventional methods that included commercial fertilizers.

“The levels of flavonoids increased over time in samples from organic treatments, whereas the levels of flavonoids did not vary significantly in conventional treatments,” their report stated.

Tags: eco.success, environment, health

Internet making it tougher for China to block bad news

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 16:22:12 GMT

clipped by: ecopirate

Clip Source: www.physorg.com

The Internet, mobile phones and other new technologies are making it harder for China's communist rulers to block negative news, a top government official said in comments published Monday.

"It has been repeatedly proved that information blocking is like walking into a dead end," the state-run China Daily newspaper quoted Wang Guoqing, a vice minister with the cabinet's information office, as saying.

Wang said local governments needed to be more transparent, describing some as being "too naive" in thinking they could hide damaging information.

Wang said the central government's commitment to transparency, as well as new information technologies such as the Internet and mobile phones, were making it more difficult for local officials to hide bad news.

In a speech in January, Chinese President Hu Jintao also said that the central government intended to keep as tight a rein on the Internet as it does on traditional forms of the media such as newspapers and television.

Tags: politics, technology

Snow in Buenos Aires: Was it Global Warming?

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 16:16:33 GMT

clipped by: ecopirate

Clip Source: www.treehugger.com

The last anniversary of Argentine independence, July 9th, came with a surprise: for the first time in almost 90 years, snow fell in Buenos Aires and the city’s suburbs. While mostly everybody was thrilled with the spectacle, we (and few media) wondered about how dangerous the phenomenon could be. Fortunately, local specialists explained this was an isolated phenomenon, but warned about the consequences of a changing climate.

“This is an anomaly, as usually cold air comes from the Pacific and not the Antarctica, and in this case, it happened while in Buenos Aires there was enough cloudiness and the floor temperature was cold enough (0 degrees at 3pm) to produce the spectacle”.

Tags: environment, eco.news

Green Companies are Destined to Prosper

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 03:13:37 GMT

clipped by: ecopirate

Clip Source: www.copybrighter.com

Alternative energy and sustainable technology are unique because they will have urgent and nearly universal appeal.

According to most scientists, the Earth is undergoing climate change while running out of fossil fuels. If any of our most basic consumer comforts - like cool indoor temperatures, cheap gas prices or unlimited shower water – were to become even the slightest bit interrupted or scarce… people are going to wake up. Fast.

A ravenous, insatiable desire for technologies and products will suddenly be ignited. Unlike smaller niche markets like yoga, healing arts, or organic foods - which appeal to certain tastes and personalities - nearly everyone will be needing sustainable energy and products.

Centuries of collective marketplace wisdom says that people are reluctant to shell out for prevention. But once something they are deeply attached to becomes scarce or inconvenient, they will be desperate for alternatives.

Tags: eco.news, environment

Five Plants That Repel Mosquitoes

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 02:58:12 GMT

clipped by: ecopirate

Clip Source: www.gomestic.com

There are attractive garden plants that repel mosquitoes.

The most common way of repelling or getting rid of mosquitoes involves spraying a large quantity of poisonous chemicals in your yard and on yourself. If you are interested in a more natural approach, consider these plants that repel mosquitoes.

Citronella Grass

Catnip is an herb that is most commonly used to stuff in toys or feed to cats for their enjoyment. However, the oil from this plant has actually been found to be more than ten times better at repelling mosquitoes than DEET.

Rosemary

Marigolds have a particular smell that many insects and humans find objectionable. They are a good plant for repelling mosquitoes as well as insects that can attack vegetable plants and aphids.

There are actually plants on the market that are simply called Mosquito plants. They are advertised as a plant that repels mosquitoes.

Tags: eco.tips, environment

Energy Saving Tips to Use at Home

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 22:40:24 GMT

clipped by: ecopirate

Clip Source: www.treehugger.com

taking the necessary steps to conserve energy doesn't have to be an arduous, expensive ordeal. In fact, quite the contrary: it can be a cheap (or even free), rewarding and ultimately enlightening experience.

• Close drapes, blinds and shades to keep sun's rays out of the home during the warmer months.

• Check the settings on the room air conditioner. Make sure the "fresh air" vent on the air conditioner is closed so you are not cooling outside air.

• Install an ENERGY STAR programmable thermostat

• Remove and clean room air conditioner filters monthly.

Tags: eco.tips, environment

Bush to Veto Bill to Expand Child Insurance

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 22:35:00 GMT

clipped by: ecopirate
clipper's remarks: Disgusting. Period.

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

The White House said on Saturday that President Bush would veto a bipartisan plan to expand the Children’s Health Insurance Program, drafted over the last six months by senior members of the Senate Finance Committee.

The vow puts Mr. Bush at odds with the Democratic majority in Congress, with a substantial number of Republican lawmakers and with many governors of both parties, who want to expand the popular program to cover some of the nation’s eight million uninsured children.

The program, which insured 7.4 million people at some time in the last year, is set to expire Sept. 30.

The new spending would be financed by an increase in the federal excise tax on tobacco products. The tax on cigarettes would rise to $1 a pack, from the current 39 cents.

Mr. Fratto, the White House spokesman, said, “Tax increases are neither necessary nor advisable to fund the program appropriately.”

Tags: politics, health

Former nuke site becomes wildlife refuge

Sat, 14 Jul 2007 16:22:34 GMT

clipped by: ecopirate

Clip Source: www.physorg.com

The U.S. government's Rocky Flats nuclear weapons production site in Colorado has been named a National Wildlife Refuge.

The land is being turned over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service after more than a decade of environmental cleanup work.

The Rocky Flats Plant, 16 miles northwest of Denver, manufactured the trigger mechanism for nearly every nuclear weapon in the United States from 1951-89. The government said the site water, air and soil was contaminated with plutonium, uranium, beryllium and hazardous chemical compounds.

A 10-year environmental cleanup of the site cost approximately $7 billion.

"With the transfer of nearly 4,000 acres from the Department of Energy, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will establish the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge in order to conserve the rare and unique tallgrass prairie found along Colorado's Front Range," U.S. Department of Interior's Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service H. Dale Hall said in a release.

Tags: eco.success, environment

A World of Reasons to Ditch Bottled Water

Sat, 14 Jul 2007 16:15:39 GMT

clipped by: ecopirate

Clip Source: www.treehugger.com

Bottled water manufacturers’ encourage the perception that their products are purer and safer than tap water. Bottled water can cost up to 10,000 times more per gallon than tap water. But the reality is that tap water is actually held to more stringent quality standards than bottled water, and some brands of bottled water are just tap water in disguise. What’s more, our increasing consumption of bottled water—more than 22 gallons per U.S. citizen in 2004 according to the Earth Policy Institute—fuels an unsustainable industry that takes a heavy toll on the environment.

two gallons of water are wasted in the purification process for every gallon that goes into the bottles.

Approximately 1.5 million barrels of oil—enough to run 100,000 cars for a whole year—are used to make plastic water bottles

the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s standards for tap water are more stringent than the Food and Drug Administration’s standards for bottled water

Tags: eco.tips, environment