The EPA announced new standards for electonics seeking to grab the brass ring – the Energy Star rating.
Now computer monitors, digital picture frames and other types of displays will have to be 20 percent more energy efficient than normal conventional models.
The projected energy savings for all such electronic equipment meeting this new standard is estimated at $1 billion a year, the equivalent of preventing greenhouse gas emissions from 1.5 million vehicles per year.
This is the fifth revision in this category’s Energy Star standards since its creation. For more details on the Energy Star program, see www.energystar.gov
Electronics Need to Step Up to Meet new Energy Star Standards
Bayor Trying to Limit Disclosure on Chemical Pesticide Explosion
Last August, Bayor CropScience was witness to a tremendous chemical explosion that killed two employees and raised fears in the surrounding West Virginia community.
A federal agency is now trying to set a public hearing to outline it’s preliminary findings as to the explosion’s cause.
In an unprecedented move, Bayor is trying to limit what is disclosed by citing a terrorism-related federal law.
With a dock for managing large shipments on the adjacent Kanawha River, Bayor is claiming its 400-acre site falls under the 2002 Maritime Transportation Security Act. Since the Coast Guard has jurisdiction under this act, Bayor has asked it to review any release of “sensitive security information.”
The Chemical Safety and Hazard [...]
Chinese Propose Global Greenhouse Gas Trade Plan
China’s State Council Development Research Center has proposed a global greenhouse gas trade plan to address the varying levels of GHG from rich and poor countries.
The Beijing think tank released their plan in the March issue of China’s Economic Research Journal, published on March 20th.
A separate report by the Chinese Academy of Sciences outlined that nation’s total GHG emissions would peak between 2030 and 2040, then fall, the Guangming Daily reported.
It’s believed that China has now surpassed the United States in annual carbon dioxide emissions from farming, industry and land clearing.
Though smaller in ratio, the significantly larger 1.3 billion population accounts for the larger percentage of greenhouse gas emissions at4 tons of per person. The [...]
Environment Loses Big Time to Border Patrol
In yet another effort to cut back on illegal crossings, the US Border Patrol will begin using herbicides to poison plant life along the US-Mexico border.
This pilot program is one of three methods the Border Patrol is testing to eliminate thick stalked carrizo cane which they say smugglers, illegal immigrants and robbers use to hide behind. Teams of agents will also try cutting the plants by hand, then painting the stumps with an herbicide called Imazapyr, and digging them out by their roots.
The most controversial method would be spraying the plants by helicopter with Imazapyr.
Although the EPA and Border Patrol insist the herbicide is safe for animals, Mexican officials are concerned it could threaten the safety of Nuevo Laredo’s water [...]
Desert Solar Could Bring Power to all Europe
The use of solar power has seen tremendous growth around the world – for homes, commercial and even government use.
Now a researcher at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Austria says solar could end up bringing power to all of Europe.
Dr. Anthony Patt, addressing scientists at this week’s climate change conference in Copenhagen, said a large solar array in the Sahara Desert could supply all of Europe’s energy demands.
Commenting on the incredible strength of the sun in the African Sahara, Patt estimated that solar panels would need to be installed in a portion of the Sahara the size of a small country to transmit power to all of Europe. Mirrors would focus the sun [...]
Climate Change Forces New Eurpoean Borders
Swiss and Italian authorities plan to redraw their mutual border due to the rapid disappearance of centuries old glaciers, the long-held delineation between the two countries.
Zurich’s daily newspaper, Tages-Anzeiger reports that after 50 years of stability, the border must be now reset.
In an unprecedented decision, authorities plan to establish a border that is both set and mobile, to accommodate for further glacial deterioration caused by climate change.
Authorities say citizens of Switzerland and Germany will not be effected by the change. A bill currently being examined by the foreign commission of the chamber of deputies in Rome will establish a new border in the high mountains on what is government property.
SC Johnson Raises the Bar, Encouraging Environmentalists
Mos consumers have little to no idea what’s in the cleaning products they use.
SC Johnson – maker of Windex, Pine Sol, Shout and a variety other products – plans to disclose their complete ingredient list on their cleaning and air care products, something the industry has balked at doing.
The key industry hold-out for disclosure has been the fragrance industry, citing propietary confidentiality as the chief reason for their reluctance.
Eric Thompson Switaski of Women’s Voices for the Earth said “SC Johnson just raised the bar for the entire cleaning products industry.”
SC Johnson also announced it has told fragrance suppliers to discontinue use of phthalates, a controversial chemical. SCJ currently uses a phthalate called [...]
Study Shows Genetically Modified (GMO) Cotton Kills Soil
A study conducted in India has shown that Monsanto’s Bt-cotton causes soil to die.
The study, reported the Organic Consumers Association, reveals that fields planted with Monsanto’s genetically modified (GM) cotton, over three years showed soil micro-organisms – responsible for healthy, nutrient-rich soil -were dramatically reduced in Monsanto cotton fields.
The Institute for Science in Society stated “At this rate, a decade of planting GM cotton, or any GM product with Bt genes in it, could lead to total destruction of soil organisms, leaving dead soil unable to produce food.”
Another serious concern noted by the study, the regions of Nagpur, Amravati and Wardha of Vidharbha which contains the highest GMO plantings in India, this [...]
Phoenix to Become 1st U.S. city to be Carbon Neutral
Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon announced today a bold 17-pont plan that would boldly create Phoenix as the country’s first carbon neutral city.
In collaboration with Arizona State University’s Global Institute of Sustainability, this proposed leap into full sustainability would cut city-generated GHG emissions by430,000 metric tons per year. This is roughly equal to 80,000 vehicles off the road.
The plan hinges on receiving at least partial funding from the new stimulas bill recently signed by President Obama. Brown and Arizona State University President Michael Crow met Tuesday with Energy Secretary Stephen Chu to make their pitch.
During the meeting, Chu observed that this plan could have Phoenix’s comprehensive plan could serve as a model for other cities across the country.
Solar will [...]
Grocery Stores to Offer Reverse Recycling
This reverse vending machine will soon be in Albersstons stores
Kudos to Albertsons. Two of their California grocery stores will soon offer a pilot recycling program that will allow customers to return plastic, glass and aluminum beverage containers.
Reverse vending machines, or RVM’s, supplied by Tomra of North America will take the containers and refund deposits to customers.
These amazing machines’ advanced technology helps identify, sort, collect and process beverage containers.
Tomra plans to expand the program to 30 more Albertsons stores by the end of the year.
Norway-based Tomra Systems ASA, parent company of Tomra of North America, created the first automzted bottle machine in 1972. Since then, they’ve installed more than 65,000 of these recycling machines around the [...]