Carbon emissions threaten ‘underwater catastrophe’ , scientist warn
Carbon emissions threaten ‘underwater catastrophe’, scientists warn
Royal Society calls for CO2’s effect on seas to be included in climate change talks in Copenha
- guardian.co.uk, Monday 1 June 2009 12.04 BST
- Article history
Increasing acidity in the seas could damage fish, corals and shellfish – leaving fishing communities facing economic disaster. Photograph: HO/AFP/Getty Images
Changes to the ocean caused by carbon dioxide emissions could lead to an “underwater catastrophe”, damaging wildlife, food production and livelihoods, scientists warned today.
The world’s scientific academies – including the UK’s Royal Society – issued a warning that ocean acidification must be on the agenda when countries attempt to forge a new global deal on cutting emissions in Copenhagen in December.
EU 37bn plan to power EU with the Saharan sun
£37bn plan to power EU with the Saharan sun Alok Jha The Guardian, Wednesday 23 July 2008 Article history Vast farms of solar panels in the Sahara could provide clean electricity for the whole of Europe, according to EU scientists working on a plan to pool the region’s renewable energy. Harnessing the power of Continue Reading →
Atmospheric water generator
Atmospheric water generator
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The device is very useful for locations where pure drinking water is difficult to obtain or impossible to have, as there is always water in the air. NB (Can be powered by solar or wind power)
Green collar job creation’oustripped traditional sectors in US’
Green collar job creation ‘outstripped traditional sectors in US’
Report on US job figures up to 2007 also says wind and solar sectors resisting recession better than traditional manufacturing
- guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 10 June 2009 17.59 BST
- Article history
America’s emerging clean energy economy produced new jobs at more than twice the rate of more traditional industries in the years leading up to the economic downturn, a new study released today claimed.
The report by the Pew Charitable Trusts provides the first hard evidence of jobs created by the rising demand for environmentally friendly services, and in the new clean energy sectors like wind and solar.
It said such jobs grew at a rate of 9.1% from 1998-2007, easily outstripping job growth in traditional areas of the economy, which was 3.7%
Japan’s 15% target to cut emissions condemned as ‘disaster’
Japan’s 15% target to cut emissions condemned as ‘disaster’
Target is ‘weakest any country has pledged so far’ and threatens agreement in Copenhagen, say critics
- guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 10 June 2009 16.15 BST
- Article history
Japanese prime minister Taro Aso announced the target as UN climate talks continued in Bonn. Photograph: Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters
Japan‘s target to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by 2020 was immediately condemned by environmentalists as “appalling” and unambitious after it was announced today. The Japanese government defended the target as comparable to European efforts because it does not permit offset schemes such as carbon trading, which allow cuts to be bought from other countries.
Rain ensures critical water supply to Murray River
Rain ensures critical water supply to Murray river
Asa Wahlquist, Rural writer | June 11, 2009
THERE is now enough water in the Murray River system to guarantee the critical human needs of those who rely on the river over the next 12 months thanks to recent rainfalls.
Chief executive of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Rob Freeman, confirmed the improved position yesterday.
“We have got (enough water for) critical human needs for South Australia, NSW and Victoria. They are now secure including the conveyance water to transmit it to all those places for the coming year.”
In April, Mr Freeman announced there was not enough water in the system to cover the 1350 gigalitres (or billion litres) necessary for critical human needs. Critical human needs include the water necessary for people and the institutions they rely on. That figure comprises the 350GL that is actually needed, plus 1000GL to convey the needed water. The conveyance water is lost to seepage and evaporation on the way.
But Mr Freeman said the water was now secure, even though inflows into the Murray were low in May. He said inflows for the water year, which began last July, were the third-lowest on record in 118 years. Inflows last year, 2007-08, were the seventh-lowest, and 2006-07 had the lowest on record.