GreenBizCheck | Environmental News

Live updates from fishing boats could reduce waste

New Scientist - A Japanese fishing fleet is posting details of catches online in real time. Could this make fishing more sustainable by matching demand to supply?

Green Banking Part IV: Cutting Your Footprint and Your Costs

Environmental Leader - In Part III of our green banking series, we examined how from coal to real estate to small business lending, environmental, social, and governance underwriting criteria are a critical tool for banks to reduce risk and enhance profitability for themselves and their business partners.�

What 2011 Taught Us about the Green Supply Chain (and What It Means for 2012)

Environmental Leader - There are lots of lessons to be learned from the prior year, and some important implications for 2012. Some of the biggest lessons surround sustainability in the supply chain.

Biofuel breakthrough: kelp could power cars

Environmental News Network - Scientists have devised a new way to produce ethanol directly from seaweed, offering the potential to generate biofuels that don't compete with terrestrial food production and won't suck up scarce freshwater, reports a study published today in Science.

How to reduce household food waste

Ecoki - When you really think about it, how much food waste are you accumulating in your household? Do you ever clear out your fridge thinking, what is that?

The future of food

The Guardian - By 2050 there will be another 2.5 billion people on the planet. How to feed them? Science's answer: a diet of algae, insects and meat grown in a lab.

US education advocates tackle climate change sceptics

New Scientist - After decades battling to keep creationism out of classrooms, science education supporters are preparing to face a new foe: climate change sceptics.

Northern MP calls for action on Chinese Sky Lanterns

The Guardian - Spain's ban on the pretty but potentially hazardous balloons prompts renewed attempts to make them safer. Should action be taken against Chinese Sky Lanterns, whose little flames drift over our skies increasingly frequently?

South Florida Alliance Gears Up for Climate Change

Environmental News Network - Global action against climate change is often difficult and excruciatingly slow. For the United States, policies to combat a warming Earth are at a virtual standstill. That is why it comes down to local and regional alliances to work together to make a difference.

China set to launch first caps on CO2 emissions

New Scientist - In preparation for future national markets in greenhouse gas emissions, China has ordered seven provinces and cities to set absolute caps on emissions.

Our latest most-loved eco-related apps

Ecoki - Everyday, more and more apps are developed, and we love that a lot of them are environmentally centric. We've nailed some new favorites.

Green energy investment soars to $260bn

The Guardian - New data shows worldwide funding of green energy projects rose by 5% last year. Global investment in clean energy reached a new high of $260bn last year despite the financial crisis and the anti-environment agenda of Republicans in the US Congress, a United Nations investors' summit was told on Thursday.

DuPont Business Innovations Achieves Zero to Landfill Status

Environmental Leader - Chemical sciences firm DuPont has achieved zero to landfill status in its Building Innovations arm. After three years of effort, the %u201CDrive to Zero%u201D program has reduced the Business Innovations arms environmental footprint from 81 million pounds of landfill waste annually to zero.

We Lose Clean Energy Race without Government Investments

CleanTechnica - Continuing and expanding investments in clean energy is the smart choice to meet the next generation of energy challenges and produce a foundation of affordable, reliable, and clean energy alternatives.

Why Electric Cars Are Awesome

CleanTechnica - Most of you reading this are already inclined toward green-type technology, whether that%u2019s clean power generation, electric transportation, or more efficient ways to do things.

Ecologists should learn to look on the bright side

New Scientist - The planet is in a bad state but remorseless pessimism is a turn-off. It's time conservationists talked up their successes, says Elin Kelsey.

Light At Night Not A 'Bright' Idea

Environmental News Network - Moonlight and starlight aren't just romantic, according to a new international study with Israeli input. This natural nighttime light is also healthier than harsh artificial light %u2013 especially LED (light-emitting diodes) white light, which suppresses the brain's night time production of Melatonin needed to regulate our biological clocks, behavior and health.

Roger Scruton: Green philosophy begins at home

New Scientist - A conservative philosopher believes that an environmentalism founded on love of home would return to us the original meaning of economy.

Could Saudi Arabia Become the Next Solar Market Hotspot?

CleanTechnica - It seems far-fetched, but Saudi Arabia could very well turn itself into a solar market hotspot. The resources, and the critical needs, are there. What's lacking is the political and economic will.

3 ideas for stimulating green growth

The Guardian - The theory that cutting carbon emissions costs us growth is bunk, in fact, it's an economic opportunity As we enter a new year, the world continues to be in the grips of dual crises: a stubborn economic downturn with widespread job losses combined with accelerating global warming threatening vulnerable communities. Many argue that dealing with climate change in the midst of an economic slump will hurt recovery efforts. The underlying reality, however, is quite the opposite. Not only can preparing for climate change offer opportunities for economic growth, it would be unwise to pursue one without the other.

Is China Preparing to Implement a Carbon Tax?

CleanTechnica - China's airlines may be bristling over being forced to join the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme, but it seems the Chinese government is still focused on its own emissions reductions plans, all the more so, we'd imagine, since they agreed to enter talks over joining a successor to the Kyoto treaty at the Durban conference.

Sustainable and eco-friendly travel ideas

Ecoki - Planning a 2012 getaway? Now is the perfect time: more and more eco-friendly destinations are popping up left and right on the radar.

Sunlight-powered 'bulbs' made from plastic bottles light up homes

The Guardian - The Liter of Light project, launched to combat the rising cost of electricity in the Philippines, aims to provide 1 million homes with light.

'2011 rewrote the record books'

The Guardian - The ecologically tumultuous year saw record greenhouse gas emissions, melting Arctic sea ice, natural disasters and extreme weather %u2013 and the world's second worst nuclear disaster.

Paper bags or plastic bags: which are best?

The Guardian - From Topshop to Nike to Primark, brown paper bags are back in abundance on the high street. But are they any better for the environment than plastic bags?

Rebates for QLD Recycling Bins and Signs

Planet Ark - A new Queensland Government program helps eligible businesses to purchase recycling collection bins and information signs.

Students Show Off Solar Car at Tokyo's Eco Products 2011 Exhibition

CleanTechnica - One of the fun things at Tokyo%u2019s annual Eco Products exhibition this weekend is a solar car %u2013 but not just any solar car. This one was built as part of an education program led by Koto Ward mayor Takaaki Yamazaki.

The 12 Do's of Christmas

Planet Ark - Whether it's Christmas on a budget or a Christmas of splurging, Planet Ark's 12 Do's of Christmas will help Australians reduce their environmental impact this festive season while still celebrating the festive season with friends and family.

Big ships go green with retro technology

New Scientist - From solar sails, or even canvas ones, to underwater carpets of air, a raft of new technologies could revolutionise the global shipping industry.

Revend Launches Light Bulb Recycling Vending Machine

Environmental Leader - U.K. corporation Revend Recycling Limited has launched a reverse vending recycling machine for the collection and recycling of domestic light bulbs and batteries. Ikea will be placing the units in some of its European stores.

Rexam Discusses Sustainability Strategy

Environmental Leader - Bill Bruce talks to John Revess at Brau Beviale 2011 about Rexam's sustainability strategy.

Diageo Sets Sustainable Packaging Guidelines

Environmental Leader - Diageo has published its first sustainable packaging guidelines, setting 2015 goals to reduce average weight by 10 percent, increase recycled material content by 20 percent and ensure 100 percent of packaging is reusable, recyclable or %u201Csuitable for waste management practices.%u201D

PepsiCo's Take on Sustainable Agriculture

Environmental Leader - Ian Hope-Johnstone talks about PepsiCo's approach to sustainability.

Improving Supply Chain Profit, Production & Sustainability

Environmental Leader - Elevating the discussion around sustainable supply chains, Microsoft recently announced it will mandate supplier sustainability disclosure in 2013.�

Sustainability in the Electronics Supply Chain

Environmental Leader - A discussion on sustainability in the electronics supply chain.

Consumer Sector Dominates Energy Harvesting

Environmental Leader - The consumer sector is leading the way in energy harvesting using ambient energy to power small electronic devices, according to a report by analysis firm IDTechEx.

Resource Efficiency vs. Carbon Reduction

Environmental Leader - The dramatic improvements in efficient lighting technologies over the past three centuries have left the energy intensity of lighting unchanged. The higher energy efficiencies have all been used up by ever-expanding lighting applications. And the share of global GDP spent on lighting has remained constant during this period.

Eco-friendly Christmas decorations

Ecoki - I love decorating my Christmas tree, and chances are, you do, too. But what's even better than making sure it's eco-friendly? Instead of relying purely on artificial Christmas decorations, let nature take part in decorating your home this Christmas, too.

Do Companies Need a Culture of Sustainability?

Environmental Leader - Stuart Hart, the S.C. Johnson chair in sustainable global enterprise at Cornell University, asks how necessary a strong corporate culture is for achieving sustainability objectives. Hart is founder and president of Enterprise for a Sustainable World.

Coke Makes 100% Recycling Pledge for 2012 Olympics

Environmental Leader - Coca-Cola has promised to recycle all clear plastic PET bottles used at the London 2012 Olympics, according to news reports.

Two Views of the Value of Sustainability

Environmental Leader - Sustainability is all the rage as many significantly-sized companies are evaluating it to maximize economic benefits and seeing how it can fit into company plans.

Australia Passes Carbon Tax

Environmental Leader - Australia has passed a carbon tax, making it the second major economy after the EU to put a cap on carbon. The legislation sets a fixed carbon tax of A$23 (US$23.7) a ton on the country's 500 biggest polluters, starting in July 2012.

Social Business Strategies as Important as Economic Ones

Environmental Leader - Building a social purpose into a business strategy is just as important in securing long-term success as building in an economic purpose, according to an article in November%u2019s Harvard Business Review. Rosabeth Moss Kanter's article How Great Companies Think Differently, is based on the theory of institutional logic.

Packaging Key to Sustainable Society

Environmental Leader - Packaging should be seen as an integral part of achieving a resource efficient society, according to a paper by packaging trade body EUROPEN.

Greenhouse Emissions Jumped 6% in 2010

Environmental Leader - Greenhouse gas emissions saw a 6 percent jump in 2010, their largest one-year rise, according to new data from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Lab. This means that emissions are now rising faster than the worst-case scenarios envisioned by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in its 2007 report, according to Brad Plumer.

The Three Stages of Staff Sustainability Engagement

Environmental Leader - Programs to involve staff in sustainability programs break down into three key stages, according to a report by brand consulting firm BBMG.

Choosing the Right Recycler

Planet Ark - Ensuring your waste is recycled correctly and legally can be as easy as asking a recycler the right questions. Check out our guide for 'Choosing the Right Recycler.'

Five Ways To Make Your Fleet Greener For Less

Environmental Leader - Once, fleet owners explored green technologies as a means for a public relations bump. Consumers liked seeing green cars and trucks on the road, and they rewarded companies who made those investments. Today, greening a fleet is becoming an economic pursuit.

Facebook Faces Down Google for Title of Most Energy Efficient

CleanTechnica - Facebook and Google seem to be in an all-out war to see which company can come up with the best energy efficiency solutions for power-gobbling data centers. This round probably goes to Facebook, which just announced two new green data center strategies on two distinct tracks.

How can we make this increasingly crowded world fit for its seven billionth inhabitant?

Telegraph.co.uk - Much can be done to lessen the impact of the world's population growth, argues Geoffrey Lean.

International Paper Announces Green Goals

Environmental Leader - International Paper has committed to use 15 percent less energy and reduce its absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2020, against a 2010 baseline. The company plans to achieve these reductions by increasing manufacturing efficiency, exploring new technologies and encouraging employee engagement.

This Pen Used to be an Inkjet

Planet Ark - 90% of the new Enviroliner pen - including the ink - is made from used Inkjet cartridges. This new pen is turning waste materials into a valuable resource.

Climate known: Other pollutants are cooling the planet

New Scientist - We pump all kinds of substances into the atmosphere. Some of them reflect the sun's heat back into space and so cool things down.

Need for Efficiency Drives Printing Industry Toward Sustainability

Environmental Leader - When someone mentions the printing industry to you, does it bring to mind images of emissions of greenhouse gases, massive paper waste and consumption of huge amounts of energy? Today%u2019s reality is very different from those stereotypical images.

Queensland Businesses Urged to Recycle For Bottom Line and Environment

Planet Ark - With the introduction of a $35 a ton landfill levy on the 1st of December, Queensland businesses are being urged to revise their recycling initiatives and to reduce their waste management costs.

Nestle, Nike, GSK Deserve Place in Sustainability Rankings

Environmental Leader - Campbells, Danone, General Electric, Glaxosmithkline, HP, Intel, Nestl�, Nike, Panasonic, Siemens, and Unilever are the companies most deserving of their top places within sustainability rankings, according to sustainability advisor Two Tomorrows. They all were rated Aaa in the Tomorrow%u2019s Value Rating 2011.

Manufacturers Jump on Board with Sustainability

Environmental Leader - The importance of sustainability to manufacturers has rocketed over the last two years, according to a study released by the American Small�Manufacturers Coalition. The 2011 Next Generation Manufacturing�Study, conducted by the Manufacturing�Performance Institute, says that 59.2 percent of manufacturers now rate sustainability as important or highly important to there success.

Economizers Shave 20% off Data Center Energy Costs

Environmental Leader - Nearly half of data centers are using economizers to provide natural cooling, and they are saving an average of 20 percent off their energy costs, according to a survey by the Green Grid.

Hotel Sustainability: Moving Into a New Phase

Environmental Leader - Over the past decade, hotel operators have implemented programs to reduce the waste generated and the energy used in their daily operations. Many have been successful in saving both resources and money as well as attracting environmentally conscious guests; however, the industry as a whole has yet to make sustainability an integral part of its strategic plans.

Local Support May Be the Key to Success

Environmental Leader - When looking to gain public support for your renewable energy project, developing a grassroots campaign may be your best strategy. Many people seem to have a vague understanding of what a grassroots campaign is but very few know what exactly it entails. The most basic definition describes a grassroots campaign as one that takes place [...]

Patty Calkins Discusses Sustainability at Xerox

Environmental Leader - Patty Calkins, Vice President Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability, discusses Xerox's sustainability efforts.

Report: How Smaller Companies Profit From Sustainability

Environmental Leader - Sustainability is a growing priority among small- and medium-sized businesses and according to three national accounting bodies, more than half of surveyed businesses will have a sustainability strategy in place in two years time.

Nike Sets Up Green Venture Capital Arm

Environmental Leader - Nike is to set up a sustainable venture capital arm in an effort to cut costs and promote green commerce.

The Anatomy of Food Waste

Environmental Leader - Consider this. There is one economic sector that is essential for survival and accounts for a considerable share of our daily expenses and GHG emissions %u2013 and some 28 percent of the production in this sector (in the US) is never consumed. If you haven%u2019t guessed it already, that would be the food sector.

How to Engage and Convince the C-Suite about Corporate Sustainability

Environmental Leader - Corporate sustainability makes a lot of sense. Reduce your costs and risk, increase profit, strengthen reputation, protect and conserve natural resources and social value while enhancing share value%u2026what%u2019s not to love?� So why is it that so many internal sustainability champions struggle to move their initiatives forward?� Perhaps it%u2019s not the proposition at all %u2013 [...]

Most Chief Sustainability Officers Close to the Top, Report Finds

Environmental Leader - Nine out of ten CSOs are one or two steps removed from the CEO, according to a report by executive search and consulting firm Weinreb Group.

Global air pollution: what is the most polluted country and city in the world?

The Guardian - The World Health Organisation reveals pollution levels around the globe. We identify the countries with a problem.

Why do we need low-carbon energy?

The Guardian - The majority of the world's man-made carbon emissions are released by the burning fossil fuels to create electricity, heat or motion. This means that it will almost certainly be impossible to reduce greenhouse gas concentrations to sustainable levels unless large quantities of low-carbon energy can be brought on-stream to substitute for fossil fuels.

An Efficient Solar Harvest

Environmental News Network - Solar power could be harvested more efficiently and transported over longer distances using tiny molecular circuits based on quantum mechanics, according to research inspired by new insights into natural photosynthesis.

P&G to Advocate Coldwater Washing to 100m US Homes

Environmental Leader - Procter and Gamble Company has pledged to launch an information blitz on 100 million U.S. homes aimed at promoting coldwater clothes washing.

Target, McDonald and Others Save $650m through Climate Fellowship

Environmental Leader - McDonald%u2019s, Target and 76 other organizations have found $650 million in savings and 440,000 annual metric tons of CO2 reductions through this summer%u2019s EDF Climate Corps fellowship.

More Consumers Believe Sustainability Claims But Many Still Skeptical

Environmental Leader - Americans today are more likely to believe businesses%u2019 green claims, but 39 percent still say that companies%u2019 assertions about the environment are not accurate, according to a report from GfK Roper Consulting.

Current power: New tide turbines tap oceans of energy

New Scientist - The huge potential of ocean currents could at last be tapped, thanks to the latest generators now being trialled on the seabed.

Why Eating Organic is the Single Greenest Thing You Can Do

Environmental News Network - "If you do just one thing -- make one conscious choice -- that can change the world, go organic.... No other single choice you can make to improve the health of your family and the planet will have greater positive repercussions for our future."

Huge Australian bushfires ignited rare plant growth

New Scientist - Rare plants are springing up in an Australian park ravaged by bushfires; plants that had never been recorded there before the fire

U.K. Business Increases Sustainability

Environmental Leader - U.K. companies rapidly increased the sustainability of their business practices over the last 12 months of data collection, according to a report by sustainability non-profit Forum for the Future.

P.J. Simmons Discusses Corporate Sustainability Practices

Environmental Leader - P.J. Simmons is co-founder and Chairman of the Corporate Eco Forum, a network of senior Global 500 executives focused on spreading best practices in corporate sustainability and accelerating eco-innovation. He is co-author of The Green to Gold Playbook: How to Implement Sustainability Practices for Bottom-Line Results in Every Business Function,.

Water from trees cools the climate

Ecoki - New research hailing out of Carnegies Global Ecology department has discovered that evaporated water from trees helps cool the Earth as a whole not just a specific area.

12 Ways To Turn Green Intentions Into Green Actions

Environmental Leader - Eighty-two percent of consumers have good green intentions, but only 16% are dedicated to fulfilling these intentions, according to an Ogilvy study.

Managing Environmental Impact with a Global Framework and Local Execution

Environmental Leader - Environmental management poses both challenges and opportunities for companies with operations around the world. The challenges can seem onerous when you consider variations in local environmental issues, regulations, infrastructure capabilities, culture and other factors.�

Facebook, Amazon Panned on Energy Management and Transparency

Environmental Leader - Amazon, Netflix, Facebook and other major internet firms are failing to adequately disclose their carbon footprint, according to a report by independent analyst Verdantix. The report,�Carbon Strategy Benchmark: Internet Sector, finds that Akamai, Apple and eBay outpace their global competitors on energy efficiency enhancements and transparent disclosure of carbon emissions.

Sustainability Practitioner, Subject-matter Expert or Gunslinger?

Environmental Leader - Recently I was drinking an organic fair-trade soy latte while chatting with a long-time sustainability consulting colleague of mine who asked me what I thought about the sustainability consulting shops that were popping up all over the place. The short answer %u2013 I couldn%u2019t be happier.�

Data Revealed: Google Uses More Power than Salt Lake City

Environmental Leader - Google has broken its silence on energy consumption, announcing that it consumed 2,259,998 MWh in 2010. In a new section on the Google Green site, called %u201CThe Big Picture,%u201D Google also said that it generated 1.46 million metric tons of carbon dioxide last year. Average annual carbon footprint per user was about 1.46 kg CO2

City Makes Recycling Compulsory for Businesses

Environmental Leader - The city of Minneapolis has introduced mandatory recycling for all businesses, workplaces and houses of worship, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. The rule, which came into effect on Sept. 1, requires recycling collection at least twice a month.

Sustainability Is a Brand

Environmental Leader - In order to develop true sustainability policies, companies need to understand the nexus between energy, water, bio-diversity, and green house gas emissions, as well as the wider societal impacts of their company, and then combine them into one coherent policy and reporting framework.

Report: Insurers Not Ready for Climate Change

Environmental Leader - Despite broad consensus among major insurers that climate change will affect extreme weather events, only an eighth of such companies have formal policies in place to deal with growing climate change risks, according to a report issued today by business sustainability coalition Ceres.

Volkswagen Investing One Billion Euros in Wind Energy

Environmental News Network - In an attempt to hedge against future rising energy prices, Volkswagen announced last week that it will invest up to one billion Euros (US$1.45 billion) in renewable energy. The announcement follows the company%u2019s decisions earlier this year to invest in other clean energy projects as well as to launch new electric vehicles.

Australia Deslanates with Utility Scale Solar from US

Environmental News Network - Australia's First Utility-Scale Solar PV Project is under way in 2013 and it will help meet Western Australia's water security issues by fueling a much needed desalination plant.

2109: a life of equality but no polar bears

The Guardian - It is going to take 98 years for there to be pay parity between men and women. But what other predictions can be made for the year 2109?

Giant pipe to pump water into the sky

The Guardian - Field test by British academics marks first step towards recreating an artificial volcano that would inject particles into the stratosphere and cool the planet. It sounds barmy, audacious or sci-fi: a tethered balloon the size of Wembley stadium suspended 20km above Earth, linked to the ground by a giant garden hose pumping hundreds of tonnes of minute chemical particles a day into the thin stratospheric air to reflect sunlight and cool the planet.

Australia: A poisonous political climate

The Guardian - Climate change protests could be drowned out by the clamour against plans to curb pollution generated by big companies

The ethical price of groceries

The Guardian - Is it deemed OK to use plastic bags again? Plastic bag use is on the increase and that's very disappointing. After a dip in individual bag use from 2002 to 2009, last year we were back up to getting through 475m a month.

Sustainable fish logos: not all they're made out to be

New Scientist - Some fish that the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) have certified as sustainable come from unsustainable fisheries

Australia through the lens: The big dry continent

New Scientist - Once two islands separated by a shallow sea, Australia is now a drought-prone land. New Scientist takes a photographers-eye view of a nation drying out.

Sustainability Perspective for Small Business September

Planet Ark - This month is Small Business September in NSW. The state government is encouraging owners to see their business from 'a new perspective' and sustainability is increasingly a new perspective for small businesses.

Achieving Water Conservation: Dilution Isn't the Solution!

Environmental Leader - To conserve and better manage their water use, more and more businesses are opting for closed water systems, where every drop of water taken is reused internally.

Death by fashion: is your wardrobe poisoning the world's water supply?

Environmental News Network - A Greenpeace investigation has discovered the toxic chemical nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE) in clothing made by 14 major brands, including Adidas, H&M, Converse and Abercrombie and Fitch. NPE breaks down to form nonylphenol in water, which disrupts hormone levels and has been known to cause fish to change gender. Due to its persistence, nonylphenol builds up in each level in the food chain, meaning humans receive the highest dosage and can suffer from hormone imbalances as a result of eating contaminated fish and water. The chemical is banned from use in textile production in the EU but in China and other Asian countries such as Vietnam, where many global clothing brands source their products from, lax restrictions mean that NPE is widely used in the dyeing process.

Toyota, Ford to Collaborate on Hybrid Trucks

Planet Ark - Toyota Motor Corp and Ford Motor Co will work together to develop hybrid trucks and SUVs that will be ready for market by the end of the decade, the two companies said on Monday.

First link between climate patterns and civil conflict

New Scientist - The first study to link global climate patterns to the onset of civil wars places El Ni�o on a par with factors like poverty and social exclusion

Cloud-making: Another human effect on the climate

New Scientist - Compounds released by living organisms such as trees, marine bacteria and livestock have an effect on cloud formation �%u2013 and we might be changing it

2010 Saw Largest CO2 Rise for 22 Years

Environmental Leader - Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions rebounded in 2010 but still remained six percent below 2005 levels, according to an analysis by the Energy Information Administration. Energy-related CO2 underwent a historic decline in 2009. That year the economy as measured by the real gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 3.5 percent compared to the previous year

World's forests absorb almost 40 per cent of man made CO2

Telegraph.co.uk - The world's forests are much more important than previously thought in absorbing CO2, according to a paper published in Science.

Air Products Fuels Cars with Hydrogen from Wastewater

Environmental Leader - Specialty gas company Air Products has opened a hydrogen fueling station (pictured) that draws feedstock from municipal wastewater.

Why We Should Put a Price Tag on Ecosystem Services

Environmental News Network - A recent article in the New York Times about the work Stanford University biology professor Gretchen Daily is doing in Africa and Costa Rica highlights the importance of ecosystem services, or putting a value on ecosystems.

The women bringing solar power to Sierra Leone

The Guardian - An Indian college has trained 12 Sierra Leonean women to become solar engineers as part of a drive to bring electricity to rural communities.

Future funerals: What a way to go

New Scientist - Ashes to ashes, gloop to frost: undertakers are devising ingenious new ways to solve an age-old problem. Helen Knight reports

Obama Announces $510m for Biofuels

Environmental Leader - The Departments of Agriculture, Energy and Navy will invest up to $510 million over the next three years to produce advanced drop-in aviation and marine biofuels to power military and commercial transportation, President Obama announced yesterday.

Biggest UK oil spill for 10 years

New Scientist - The Gannet Alpha oil rig has spilled 216 tonnes of oil into the North Sea, but the slick may disperse before it reaches the shore

There Are Only 14 Different Kinds Of Noses, Study Says

Environmental News Network - How many different shapes of human noses are there? Ten? Fifty? Hundreds? The correct answer is 14, according to Abraham Tamir, an Israeli scientist. And while the study has its limitations, it is the first-of-its-kind survey detailing the shapes of schnozes.

Triple Bottom Line investing 101

Ecoki - Are you looking to balance financial, social, and environmental returns in your investing? Then Triple Bottom Line investing might be the choice for you.Investors are becoming increasingly socially conscious, putting the environment at a forefront in their financial planning.

Africa famine: soaring food prices intensifying crisis, report warns

The Guardian - World Bank says shortages and near-historic prices for staple crops have contributed to the crisis in the Horn of Africa.

Your faeces, my furry friend, are blowin' in the wind

New Scientist - Go for a bracing winter's stroll in a major US city and you may be inhaling more than vehicle fumes in the air

Sustainability Software Briefing: C3, Cisco, Sensus, 1E

Environmental Leader - C3, a fledgling vendor of energy management software, says that its customers and partners now include Adobe, Constellation Energy, Dow Chemical, GE, HP and Siemens.

Australia's overheated climate debate

New Scientist - Climate-change wrangling in Australia has descended into death threats and extreme insults. The science is being drowned out, warns Clive Hamilton

Black gold holds a charge for green cars

New Scientist - The next generation of electric-car batteries may thrive on a secret sauce that looks like crude oil.

Coca-Cola: A Case Study In Sustainability

Environmental Leader - How does Coca-Cola integrate sustainability into their operations? For several years its facility in Brampton, Ontario, one of its largest in North America, has been transforming its manufacturing and distribution to save energy, reduce carbon footprint, water usage, and material usage. In this case study we look at the goals, implementation, and progress.

Is climate change to blame for famine in the Horn of Africa? | Duncan Green

The Guardian - So is famine in the Horn of Africa linked to climate change or not? The question arises whenever "extreme weather events" hurricanes, floods, droughts hit our TV screens. It's impossible to answer with a simple yes or no but here's what we think we know so far.

Prized sashimi tuna bred in captivity for first time

New Scientist - The world's biggest supplier of tuna for sashimi says it has successfully bred the endangered northern bluefin in captivity.

Sellafield Mox nuclear fuel plant to close

The Guardian - The mixed-oxide fuel plant will be shut as a consequence of the Fukushima incident, with the loss of about 600 jobs The Mox nuclear fuel plant at Sellafield was closed on Wednesday , with the loss of around 600 jobs.

The carbon cost of Germany's nuclear 'Nein danke!'

New Scientist - Europe's energy consumers will find themselves paying a high price for Germany's decision to get out of nuclear power, says David Strahan.

OK, climate sceptics: here's the raw data you wanted

New Scientist - Climate researchers accused of hoarding temperature data have today made almost the whole lot available to dispel charges of secrecy.

Don't throw these away! Recycle them instead.

Ecoki - Although we know generally what to recycle: paper, plastic, cans, and glass, there are many things we are probably throwing away that we shouldn't! Indeed, there are household items that, when they are no longer of use to us, can be recycled to help our environment.

How to keep your house cool this summer

Ecoki - Here are our top tips for staying cool indoors when the weather gets a little too warm.

Shipping industry agrees CO2 emission standards

New Scientist - <p>The shipping industry has become the first to set global mandatory carbon dioxide standards but they will apply only from 2019</p>

Fukushima Cleanup Recruits 'Nuclear Gypsies' from Across Japan

The Guardian - Thousands of engineers and labourers have been lured by higher wages and a sense of duty. The sun has only just risen in Iwaki-Yumoto when groups of men in white T-shirts and light blue cargo pants emerge blinking into the sunlight, swapping the comfort of their air-conditioned rooms for the fierce humidity of a Japanese summer.

Best Practices: The Business Case for Sustainability Disclosure

Environmental Leader - Join Environmental Leader for a webinar on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 8am PDT/11am EDT, discussing best practices for sustainability disclosure. Many organizations find that financial reporting alone no longer satisfies the needs of investors, governments, supply-chain partners, and other stakeholders for information about overall organizational performance.

CO2 to Hold Steady This Year, But Rise Coming in 2012

Environmental Leader - The Energy Information Administration expects fossil-fuel CO2 emissions to remain flat in 2011, as higher petroleum and natural gas consumption is offset by a decline in coal, according to the agency%u2019s latest Short-Term Energy

Hungary Introduces 'fat tax' to Boost Nation's Health

Environmental News Network - Food considered to be unhealthy, including crisps, soft drinks and chocolate bars, are now subject to a new tax in Hungary. The new law, introduced on 11 July, is aimed at "improving the health of the nation". Initially called 'the hamburger tax', the measure was dubbed 'crisps tax' or 'fat tax' after the Hungarian government decided that it would not affect fast food restaurants.

Carbon Tax? Australians Want Snap Election to Voice their Opinions

Environmental News Network - Two thirds of Australians want a snap election on the government's controversial plan to tax carbon pollution, a poll showed on Wednesday, as Prime Minister Julia Gillard crosses the nation in a campaign-style blitz to sell the scheme.

Mosquitoes Lured to their Deaths by Synthetic Odour of Smelly Feet

The Guardian - Scientists in Tanzania win funding to develop attraction traps to kill insects and combat spread of malaria in open air. Scientists have recreated the powerful whiff of smelly feet to lure mosquitoes into traps and slow the spread of malaria and other lethal diseases.

Greenpeace Report Links Western Firms to Chinese River Polluters

The Guardian - Supplier to Nike, Adidas, Puma, H&M and Lacoste accused of discharging dangerous chemicals into Chinese water systems Video: The toxic path of electronic waste. In pictures: China blighted by industrial pollution.

Solar Windows Offer Solution To Brighter Future - World Environment News

Planet Ark - An Israeli company hopes to revolutionize the green solutions market with solar windows that combine electricity production, energy reduction and transparent design.

The best eco-apps for iPad and iPad2

Ecoki - Whether you want to simply reduce your carbon footprint, or get a whole lot greener, these apps are for you.

Al Gore Returns with New Climate Campaign

The Guardian - Climate Reality Project aims to expose reality of global warming crisis and kicks off with a 24-hour live streamed event.

Australia's Shiny New Carbon Tax is an Empty Promise

New Scientist - The carbon tax is unlikely to change the country's status as the largest per-capita emitter of greenhouse gases in the developed world.

Australia is First Nation to put a Price on Carbon

New Scientist - Australia has just announced plans for a carbon tax, beginning in July next year.

6 Ways to Save at the Grocery Store

Ecoki - When you're making your way throughout the grocery store, are you really thinking about what you're buying? The cashier tells you the number, and you pay it mindlessly with a wad of cash or a swipe of the card.

Germany will use Fossil Fuels to Plug Nuclear Gap

New Scientist - Germany plans to be nuclear-free by 2022 but renewables alone won't be able to make up the power deficit.

The Low-Flow Toilet

Ecoki - Toilets use a lot water to get the dirty work done. However, with the advent of low-flow toilets, we can save loads, making it more efficient and saving energy, too.

Sustainability Profits Companies

Environmental Leader - For most companies, that which drives up their stock values is what ultimately matters and adopting sustainability practices can do that.

Supervalu to Go Zero Waste at 40 Stores

Environmental Leader - Supervalu Inc. and its Albertsons brand of supermarkets have announced that they will move 40 stores to be zero waste by the end of next February

Seasonal produce 101

Ecoki - Buying in season: do you do it? You should. If you're at the grocery store picking up peaches from Peru instead of honing in on the local goodness, keep reading.

Global water stress

The Guardian - Click on each country (interactive map) to see its water stress ranking, and its water consumption as a percentage of its renewable supply

Hundreds of new homes get recycled water supply

ABC - Hundreds of new houses in Adelaide's southern suburbs are being plumbed to make recycled water available.

UK's biggest solar energy farm connects to national grid

The Guardian - Solar panels at Howbery business park in Oxfordshire to generate up to 682MWh a year

Tips for greener laundry

Ecoki - Laundry. We don't really love it; but we have to do it. Each day, we use clothing, towels, bedding and, inevitably, we have to clean it. But how can we do this in the greenest way possible?

California Ships 100% Solar Powered Rice to Japan

CleanTechnica - The U.S. agricultural sector is beginning to take on a leadership role in the transition to renewable energy.

Hertz Now Offers Electric Bicycle Rentals

CleanTechnica - Rental car agencies like Hertz have started offering electric bicycle rental instead of cars, trying to develop and show a green side lately.

Residents encourages to attend coastal management workshops

ABC - Mid north coast residents are being encouraged to attend workshops to develop a plan to protect the region's coastline.

Electric cars: kiss petrol stations goodbye

The Guardian - British Gas and npower are vying to offer home charging services for electric cars offering a green way to get around, with the chance to bypass petrol stations.

Change career by going green

The Guardian - 'Green-collar' jobs in the environmental sector are growing %u2013 and increasingly attracting professionals from other areas in search of a fresh start.

The secret to becoming a green office champion

The Guardian - To turn your office eco, recycling, investment in energy-saving equipment and a practical approach can deliver ethical and beneficial results

Electric Buses that Charge at Each Stop

CleanTechnica - Proterra developed an electric bus that avoids the high cost of long range batteries by using short range batteries and charging them at each stop.

Serengeti highway cancelled

Environmental News Network - In what is being hailed as a victory for conservationists and the wildlife of the Serengeti, the Tanzanian government has cancelled plans for a controversial highway that would have dissected the Serengeti National Park.

Dozens of Countries Queue up to go Nuclear

New Scientist - While Germany, Italy and Japan reject nuclear power, developing countries and Middle Eastern oil economies are forging ahead with it

New refill scheme for wine lovers

The Guardian - A refill scheme has proved a runaway success, accounting for around half of the wine sold in a shop of one corner of Dalston, offering red, white and ros� wines that if you bring your own bottle and fill it up from the barrels in the corner of the shop you get a saving of more than 50%.

Jail Time for Clean Air Act Violator

Environmental News Network - The Clean Air Act is an environmental law but it is a law nonetheless. Breaking it will subject the violator to punishment by the courts.

New Nissan Ads Shift the Way Car Buyers Evaluate Options

Environmental News Network - Many new green brands have been introduced over the years with green marketing pitches, only to realize the opportunity to link environmental product attributes with the primary reasons why consumers buy (all) products in the first place.

Attracting Backyard Wildlife

Ecoki - Take a look outside the windows into the backyard. If all you see is a manicured lawn, growing garden, and well-kept foliage, you're missing out on one key thing: wildlife. Bringing birds, bees, bunnies, and other wildlife into our backyard is a mutual benefit.

Earth's oceans on course for mass extinction

New Scientist - It is all thanks to a deadly combination of climate change, overexploitation, pollution and habitat loss

World's oceans move into 'extinction phase'

Telegraph.co.uk - The next generation may lose the opportunity to swim over coral reefs or eat certain species of fish, scientists have warned, as the world's oceans move into a 'phase of extinction' due to human impacts such as over-fishing and climate change.

Earth's Energy Lessons from Space

The Epoch Times - Technologies developed for satellites can help citizens and national authorities find solutions to some of our planet's energy problems.

Solar Power Boosts the Sales Price of Homes

CleanTechnica - The addition of solar panels on homes increases the resale value.

New microchip could prevent 'standby' energy loss

The Guardian - Japanese scientists have developed a new micro-processing chip which they claim could do away with the energy loss caused by appliances while on "standby".

Obama-How Energy Efficiency Creates Green Jobs

CleanTechnica - President Obama discussed the job creation benefits of energy efficiency policies putting a strong emphasis on the young pursuing degrees in the "hard sciences" leading us forward in the cleantech industry.

White House Pledges Smart Grid Data Access, $250m in Loans

Environmental Leader - The Obama administration yesterday announced $250 million in loans for smart-grid deployment and launched new initiatives to ensure customers access to their energy usage information.

Compliance and Standards

Environmental Leader - The world first ISO-accredited certification for carbon management professionals has been launched by the Greenhouse Gas Management Institute and Eco-Canada.

Black carbon cut would bring dramatic benefits

The Guardian - Global warming could be slowed down if governments cleaned up what's known as black carbon from industry and cooking fires, 50 of the world's leading atmospheric scientists said on Tuesday.

Google Invests in Solar Energy

CleanTechnica - Google announced today that it is investing $280 million in a rooftop solar power company.

Rewards for households that produce less waste

Telegraph.co.uk - Households will be rewarded for the first time for putting out less rubbish to significantly boost recycling, especially of valuable materials like glass.

Supermarkets bid to get shoppers to switch to sustainable fish

The Guardian - UK supermarkets are stepping up their efforts to encourage shoppers to buy fish from sustainable sources in a fresh attempt to alleviate pressure on threatened stocks.

Google Earth Explores Ocean Depths

The Epoch Times - Google Earth has released new topographical imagery to allow users to see ocean floors in high-resolution, timed to celebrate World Oceans Day on June 8.

IBM Launch to Cut Energy Use

Environmental Leader - IBM today launched its Intelligent Building Management software, which the IT company estimates can reduce maintenance costs

World Oceans Day is today, June 8th

Environmental News Network - The 8th of June is World Oceans Day, our annual chance to celebrate all things marine! World Oceans Day encourages us to consider everything that the oceans provide us.

The Green Home Shopping List

Ecoki - Looking to make your home a little greener? Look no further than a few average items to add to your shopping list! Here are our top must-buys for keeping your home green, and how to use them.

Krispy Kreme Switches to Cage-Free Eggs

Environmental News Network - Fans of Krispy Kreme can enjoy their favorite guilty pleasure a little more.

Blue skies and green footprint

The Guardian - This summer's festival season looks set to have a greener footprint as well as bluer skies. The Isle of Wight festival, which kicks off the season this weekend, has revealed that it cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 22% last year, while July's Lovebox in London slashed 38% from its environmental impact.

Belgian rail network gets solar boost

The Guardian - A two-mile-long Belgian rail tunnel, built to shelter trains from falling trees, will from Monday provide a double environmental benefit by hosting a unique solar power project.

Zero carbon house in the planning

ABC - A competition will challenge designers and property developers to create a zero carbon house, to be built in Adelaide.

Energy efficient lighting introduced on roadways

CleanTechnica - For those ready to step into the world of energy-efficient LED lighting, a light has been introduced that delivers brighter and more energy-efficient illumination for enhanced visibility on local, collector and major roadways.

Congo-Brazzaville to ban plastic bags

The Guardian - Congo-Brazzaville is to ban the production, import, sale and use of plastic bags in a move to fight environmental pollution in the central African nation, the government has said.

Our green spaces are priceless

The Guardian - The government's attempt to put a monetary value on nature threatens the existence of our remaining parks and playing fields. That is because local authorities, planners and governments will always attach a higher economic importance to providing services and building houses or roads than conserving green spaces or wildlife habitats.

BP among founding members of World Bank carbon fund

The Guardian - The Forest fund is designed to pay developing countries for reducing emissions caused by the destruction of their forests. BP, responsible for the loss of around 5m barrels of oil in the Gulf of Mexico last year and annual carbon emissions greater than more than 120 developing countries put together, has become the world's first company to try to profit from a new World Bank carbon fund.

Carbon levels hit new peak, research shows

The Guardian - Preliminary data from the US government shows that carbon dioxide levels peaked last week at the highest levels on record. Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have reached a new peak despite the economic recession in western countries and assurances from politicians that they intend to cut emissions, new research has shown.

Atlantic bluefin tuna put on U.S. environmental watchlist

Environmental News Network - The U.S. government put the Atlantic bluefin tuna on an environmental watchlist as a "species of concern" on Friday, and will keep checking for any impact on these fish from the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Dramatic Increase in Amazon Deforestation

Environmental News Network - Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest of Brazil has risen six-fold. Comparing data from March-April 2010 to the same period this year shows deforestation has increased from 103 square kilometers in 2010 to 593 square kilometers just one year later.

Wind Power Generation in 2011

Environmental News Network - The AWEA (American Wind Energy Association) indicated that the first quarter of 2011 saw over 1,100 megawatts (MW) of wind power capacity installed -- more than double the capacity installed in the first quarter of 2010.

Facebook founder's meat challenge

The Guardian - Facebook's founder and CEO sets himself a challenge to 'basically become a vegetarian' by slaughtering his own meat. Earlier this month, he surprised his 847 friends on his private Facebook page when he posted: "I just killed a pig and a goat."

NZ coffee roaster claims world first compost coffee bag

New Zealand Herald - Greenie caffeine addicts now have the option of buying freshly roasted coffee in foil bags that can be safely buried in the garden or compost heap.

UK pledges to halve emissions by 2025

The Guardian - The UK announces the most ambitious targets on greenhouse gases of any developed country, after a week of cabinet rifts. The UK is to put in place the most ambitious targets on greenhouse gases of any developed country, by halving carbon dioxide emissions by 2025, after a tumultuous week of cabinet rifts on the issue.

GM soy: the high cost of the quest for 'green gold'

Telegraph.co.uk - Scientists and villagers in rural Paraguay are questioning the health and environmental impact of GM soy. Louise Gray reports.

Low-income solar plan needed, says minister

ABC - A scheme to help more low-income households get solar panels is being considered in SA.

Carbon price will be 'well south' of $40 a tonne

ABC - The Federal Government says the carbon price will be "well south" of a reported $40 a tonne needed to slow development of coal-fired power plants.

Ethical shoppers don't care what's in their sandwiches - RSPCA

Telegraph.co.uk - So-called 'ethical shoppers', who insist on organic chicken for dinner parties, are quite happy to buy sandwiches with meat raised in cruel conditions, according to a new survey.

US fighting machine going green

New Scientist - From biofuelled fighter jets to roll-up solar blankets, the US navy is on a mission to stop using fossil fuels.

DNA chip test will track down illegal fish

New Scientist - Relatively cheap, reliable genetic tests could soon give the authorities the means to identify fish caught from unsustainable sources.

Prince Charles warns of fisheries collapse

Telegraph.co.uk - The Prince of Wales has called on consumers to only eat sustainable seafood to avoid a collapse in the world's fisheries.

Ben Fogle swims through plastic to save oceans

Telegraph.co.uk - Ben Fogle has described "swimming through a horrible slick of plastic" in the feeding grounds of the endangered blue whale.

Renewables may supply 80 per cent of our energy by 2050

New Scientist - A bullish report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change suggests an optimistic vision of the future and with the right government support . . .

Households hit with 26pc water price rise

ABC - Water prices will increase by 26.3 per cent on average next financial year in South Australia.

Huhne announces crackdown to force landlords to install green measures

Telegraph.co.uk - Thousands of landlords will face fines if they fail to install insulation under new legislation to make every home in Britain as energy efficient as possible.

Fighting ocean acidification the fish tank way

New Scientist - People use quicklime to balance the pH of their fish tanks. Could governments do something similar to correct the pH of our acidifying oceans?

Unnatural selection: Fish growing up fast

New Scientist - As we vacuum up stupendous numbers of fish, the nature of the ones that get away is changing at an astonishing rate, says Michael Le Page

New eco-inspired iPad app for kids!

Ecoki - We sure love our technology, and when it comes to saving the environment,it's even better when they go hand-in-hand. That's why we are pretty excited when our friend at the Rainforest Alliance told us about an awesome new app for kids, designed to teach them important information about the rainforest in a really fun way!

Unnatural selection: Spreading sickness

New Scientist - From fish in a British lake to lions and corals, many plants and animals have suffered devastating disease outbreaks because of human activity, says Michael Le Page.

Big Oil digs deep as if spill never happened

New Zealand Herald - As mega-tornadoes, some over a mile wide, scythed through the American South, killing hundreds and smashing communities, AccuWeather, an American weather forecaster, blamed global warming.

The Battery That Keeps on Going?

CleanTechnica - Now Cui and his team of researchers have calculated a way to alternate the flow of river water and salty seawater through a battery to produce electricity that can be used for charging purposes. It might also be possible this same process can be reversed to remove salt from seawater to produce drinking water.

Letters: Love-hate affair with supermarkets

The Guardian - Food security will soon be an issue for all nations. In a period of diminishing supply and increasing demand, four food retailers enjoy an increasingly powerful position. A credit crunch can be relieved in the short term by printing money; we cannot print food, it has to be grown, but why should farmers bother when the big four supermarkets have such a stranglehold on price?

Subsidy cut leads to solar panel decline

ABC - An environmental group says the Federal Government's plans to further reduce solar panel subsidies will put more people off switching.

Grey nomads asked to turn green

ABC - Grey nomads travelling in north Queensland are being asked to 'go green' by volunteering to clean up the environment.

Food prices driven up by global warming, study shows

The Guardian - Scientists warn that farming practices must be adapted to a warmer world and rises in global population Global warming has already harmed the world's food production and has driven up food prices by as much as 20% over recent decades, new research has revealed.

Farmer wins compensation after Red Nose Day balloon kills cow

Telegraph.co.uk - A farmer has won compensation after a Red Nose Day balloon released by school pupils killed his cow.

Council wins award for halving water use

ABC - Tea Tree Gully Council in Adelaide has won a Federal Government award for halving its total water use.

Evolutionary push could help crops self-fertilise

New Scientist - Agriculture would be transformed if crops could produce fertiliser as legumes do. New research suggests it might be easier than we thought.

Scientists Turn Pineapples Into Plastic - World Environment News

Planet Ark - Scientists in Brazil have developed a method of turning pineapples, banana peels and other fibrous plants into plastic. The researchers say the material is strong, lightweight and eco-friendly and will soon replace conventional plastics in auto manufacturing.

Happy 9th Birthday, 'Cartridges 4 Planet Ark'!

Planet Ark - In the program's first 8 years, enough cartridges have been collected to fill over 30 Olympic swimming pools or almost 100 jumbo jets.

Fishy foot spas investigated

New Zealand Herald - One of the fastest-growing beauty treatments in Britain, fish pedicures - during which tiny toothless carp smooth down feet by eating dead skin - has come under scrutiny from health experts and animal rights campaigners.

Get The Answers: Market your business sustainability

New Zealand Herald - For those doing it right, making your business sustainable should make good business sense. The Colmar Brunton 2010 Better Business Better World survey highlights that six in 10 Kiwis believe innovative and progressive business equals...

Why have so many tornadoes hit the US this month?

New Scientist - April has been a deadly month for the US tornado states. New Scientist explains how severe the outbreak has been, and what has caused it.

Konica Minolta sets a challenge

Planet Ark - Konica Minolta has set itself the challenge of reducing carbon dioxide emissions throughout its product lifecycles by 80% by 2050.

The Rainforest Alliance launches the SmartLodge

Ecoki - Interested in learning how sustainable travel and tourism benefits local communities? The Rainforest Alliance is giving us the details, along with how to respect cultural diversity and enhance environmental conservation.

What is the carbon footprint of the royal wedding?

Telegraph.co.uk - The royal wedding will generate more than ten times as much greenhouse gases than Buckingham Palace in a whole year, according to the first analysis of the carbon footprint of the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

42 ways to help the environment

Ecoki - Trying to figure out some easy ways to help the environment? Look no further.

Swedish Family Take On Low Carbon Living Challenge - World Environment News

Planet Ark - The Lindel family are attempting to live a low carbon life as part of an experiment to cut their carbon emissions from the annual average of seven tonnes per person to only one tonne.

Carbon tax 'a scapegoat' for power bill rises

ABC - The Climate Institute says a $25 per tonne carbon price would cost the average household less than $4 a week on its electricity bill.

Donating Surplus PCs Protects Environment and Closes Digital Divide

Environmental Leader - The drive for newer, faster, better technology is generating dramatic gains in productivity 2013 but serious environmental impacts as well.

Environmental Software News: Verdiem, Ecotality, Volvo

Environmental Leader - Verdiem has extended its computer power management platform to cover Macs as well as PCs. The latest version of the software, Surveyor 5.5 includes support for Mac desktops and laptops, and improved integration with Windows 7 power management capabilities, Verdiem says.

Intel Plans $25bn Efficiency Savings

Environmental Leader - Intel plans to save $25 billion by 2015 through energy-efficient IT initiatives, a company representative has said. Allyson Klein, Intel%u2019s data center group leadership marketing director, told the Express Tribune in Karachi that efficiency gains will allow the company to eliminate or prevent huge amounts of power consumption.

Renewed energy for renewable energy

The Guardian - A new wave of activists is gearing up to combat the millions the US Chamber of Commerce invests in boosting fossil fuels.

Ratting out Sydney's cane toad menace

ABC - Sydney's notorious rat population has emerged as an unlikely hero in the fight against cane toads.

Dell Closing in on Recycling Goal

Environmental Leader - Electronics manufacturer Dell is two-thirds of the way toward its goal of recycling 1 billion pounds of e-waste by 2014, the company has announced.

Aussie Sustainability Spend ‘to Hit $3bn’

Environmental Leader - The Australian sustainable business market is poised to grow to AU$2.9 billion (US$3.1 billion) in 2014, dependent on the outcome of the country's hotly debated carbon tax, analyst firm Verdantix has projected.

Breathing Polluted Air Can Disrupt Immune System

Environmental News Network - Negative health effects from the chronic inhalation of polluted air are well known to cause cardio-respiratory disease. It can be particularly damaging to seniors, children, and people with asthma. Now according to a study from Ohio State University, breathing polluted air can also cause widespread inflammation by triggering the release of white blood cells from bone marrow into the blood stream. The influx of white blood cells can alter the integrity of the blood vessels. The white blood cells are then absorbed into fat tissues where chemicals are released that cause inflammation.

Electric Cars

Environmental News Network - Will electric cars ever become the common way to drive?

Growing sugarcane could help cool Brazil

New Scientist - Converting Brazil's existing farmland to sugarcane for biofuel could slightly cool the local climate.

Acidic ocean robs coral of vital building material

New Scientist - Carbon dioxide dissolved in water has pillaged the Great Barrier Reef of a compound that corals need to grow.

Hot solar cells are the cool way to water and power

New Scientist - Techniques designed for cooling computer chips make for more efficient photovoltaic cells and provide cheap energy for desalination.

Has BP really cleaned up the Gulf oil spill?

The Guardian - Officially, marine life is returning to normal in the Gulf of Mexico, but dead animals are still washing up on beaches and one scientist believes the damage runs much deeper.

Car emissions ratings flawed, say researchers

ABC - Researchers say the environmental rating system used for cars in Australia fails to reflect the real world.

Safeway Leads Greenpeace Seafood Rankings

Environmental Leader - Safeway has surged into first place in Greenpeace's rankings of major seafood retailers, surpassing last year's winner Target.

Study: Most Companies Now Measure Green Savings

Environmental Leader - Three out of five employers (60 percent) are measuring their cost savings from environmental programs, up from 39 percent last year, according to a survey by Buck Consultants.

Water Innovation and Investment for a Sustainable Future

Environmental Leader - According to the World Health Organization, nearly a billion individuals worldwide currently do not have access to safe water and close to 3.6 million people die each year from water-related causes.

Nuclear crises: How do Fukushima and Chernobyl compare?

The Guardian - Japan has raised the severity level of its nuclear crisis from five to the maximum seven, putting the emergency at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant on a par with that at Chernobyl in 1986. Mark Tran looks at the differences between the two disasters.

China's green progress leaves US red-faced

The Guardian - China pushes ahead with an emissions trading scheme, while American initiatives remain sunk in Congressional quicksand.

Unilever Leads Sustainability Rankings

Environmental Leader - Unilever has topped rankings of the companies most committed to sustainability, in a poll carried out by consultants SustainAbility and researchers GlobeScan.

Japan upgrades crisis to Chernobyl level

The Guardian - Nuclear and industrial safety agency raises severity rating to maximum on international nuclear and radiological event scale.

Earth Day 2011: what to know

Ecoki - Coming soon. April 22nd. Earth Day 2011. Earth Day 2011 is focused on the recognition of the power of millions of individual actions. Dubbed as A Billion Acts of Green, with a goal to highlight personal, organizational and corporate pledges to live and act sustainably.

Carbon tax supporters converge on Brisbane CBD

ABC - More than 1,000 people have rallied in Brisbane's CBD to show their support for the Federal Government's plan to price carbon.

Ten years to save Australia's Great Barrier Reef

New Scientist - Carbon dioxide emissions must be cut within a decade to give the reef system a fighting chance of survival.

Climate beliefs change with the weather

ABC - United States researchers have found people's climate beliefs change depending upon the weather of the day.

Garbage-sorting robot gets its hands dirty

New Scientist - A robot that automatically categorises waste from construction and demolition projects could save valuable raw materials from landfill.

Population expert: The 11-billion-person planet

New Scientist - This year will see the world's 7-billionth person. If only population growth forecasts were as definite, says demographer John Bongaarts.

Where should the US store its nuclear waste?

New Scientist - Underground deposits of salt, shale and granite are among the options - New Scientist weighs the pros and cons of each.

Eco-friendly earphones by thinksound

Ecoki - We sure love our music. iPods and MP3 players are quite constantly plugged into our ears. Unfortunately, they aren't exactly made of 100% eco-friendly materials.

New Zealand Aims To Halve 1990 Emissions By 2050 - World Environment News

Planet Ark - New Zealand will target halving its emissions from 1990 levels by 2050, a plan that will require major changes to the economy, the government said on Thursday.

New website maps koala habitats

ABC - A website has been launched to help communities protect Australia's koala populations.

Japan fears radioactive contamination of marine life

The Guardian - Fukushima coastal waters sees high levels of radioactive iodine, which could build up in seaweed commonly eaten in Japan

Spain's financial crisis claims another victim: the solar power industry

The Guardian - The Spanish government has slashed its solar power subsidies . Spain had one of the world's most ambitious and generous plans to boost the amount of electricity it generates from the sun. That dream, for the solar industry at least, has turned sour.

Wind and wave energies are not renewable after all

New Scientist - Build enough wind farms to replace fossil fuels and we could do as much damage to the climate as greenhouse global warming.

Wind and wave farms could affect Earth's energy balance

New Scientist - The idea that we can draw endless supplies of clean energy from the wind and waves just doesn't add up.

Greenpeace targets Facebook employees

The Guardian - Greenpeace says it is targeting Facebook employees in a renewed campaignthat is urging the world's most successful social networking site to lead an energy revolution.

What is Green?

Environmental News Network - With more and more environmentally conscious consumers trying to choose green products, American Chemical Society scientists reported today that the first reality check has revealed that the ingredients in those products may come from a surprising source petroleum, rather than natural plant-based sources.

Senate vote may end Obama's climate change ambitions

The Guardian - Four proposals seek to ban or limit US government's authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. The US Senate is due to vote as early as Wednesday on measures that would strip the Obama administration of its powers to act on climate change.

The race for clean Olympic air | Hélène Mulholland

The Guardian - After the smog problems of Beijing, London has still to reach agreed air quality standards ahead of 2012.

Paper Companies to Cut GHGs 15% by 2020, Raise Recycling to 70%

Environmental Leader - The American Forest and Paper Association has announced goals to increase the paper recycling rate to over 70 percent and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 15 percent by 2020, in what the group calls the most extensive set of goals of any manufacturing industry in the U.S.

BP loses laptop containing personal data of oil spill claimants

The Guardian - A BP employee has lost a laptop containing personal data belonging to thousands of Louisiana residents who filed claims for compensation after the Gulf oil spill.

Changing animals' diet can reduce emissions

The Guardian - A change of diet could help flatulent farm animals reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, a study has said.

Prices will rise, with or without tax

ABC - The Federal Government's key climate adviser says households on average will face a $5-a-week increase to their electricity bills under a carbon tax.

Earth Hour alert!

Ecoki - So, what did you do for Earth Hour 2011?

Food waste increases UK's water footprint

New Scientist - The British waste more water than they use at home by throwing away food, a problem that is probably also true of other western nations.

Lammas: The eco-village that lives off the grid - video

The Guardian - Heydon Prowse visits the pioneering off-grid Lammas project in Pembrokeshire to learn how they blend green building technology and perma-culture economics to fuel a thriving community

Brown denies forcing carbon tax on PM

ABC - Greens Leader Bob Brown says he did not force Prime Minister Julia Gillard to support a carbon tax against her will.

World Water Day: A global inundation of funds is not enough

The Guardian - One billion people lack basic water supplies and 2.6 billion lack access to sanitation. But we must invest wisely and locally.

Japan fears food contamination as battle to cool nuclear plant continues

The Guardian - Abnormal radiation levels reported in tap water, vegetables and milk with concerns that fish may also be affected.

Why Fukushima made me love nuclear power

The Guardian - You will not be surprised to hear that the events in Japan have changed my view of nuclear power. You will be surprised to hear how they have changed it. As a result of the disaster at Fukushima, I am no longer nuclear-neutral. I now support the technology.

Google funds company producing biofuel from grass

The Guardian - Business Green: Biofuel technology is an "innovative solution to one of the world's biggest problems", says Google.

Government commits $360k to save endangered parrot

ABC - The Western Australian Government will contribute $360,000 to help save a critically-endangered bird on the state's South Coast.

Conservationists call for greater koala protection

ABC - Conservationists say Commonwealth legislation is urgently needed to protect koala populations in Gippsland and elsewhere.

8 things that really do help

Ecoki - We're constantly told ways that we can be greener and help the environment. That's great and all, but which ones really do help? These eight changes really do help our planet. And here's why:

How not to change a climate sceptic's mind

New Scientist - Even the soundest evidence is not enough if it comes from a source we suspect.

The megaquake connection: Are huge earthquakes linked?

New Scientist - The recent cluster of huge quakes around the Pacific Ocean has fuelled speculation that they are seismically linked. New Scientist examines the evidence.

Why earthquakes are hard to predict

New Scientist - Friday's magnitude-9.0 earthquake near Japan was one of the largest ever recorded, but it struck with no warning. Why are such quakes so hard to predict?

Killing weeds the natural way

Ecoki - The warmer weather is tempting us, with more mild days and no chance of a deep freeze in the near future (we hope). And if you're a gardener, this is bliss.

Seven must-do cooking methods

Ecoki - These healthy eating cooking methods are guaranteed to make your meals more nutritious, and expand your expertise, too.

A country with no time for climate change scepticism

New Scientist - The attitude of those at the sharp end of climate change has important lessons for us all, says Adam Corner.

Commercial buildings must disclose their energy ratings

The Guardian - Commercial buildings contribute 17% of the UK's emissions, yet have no obligation to improve efficiency, hopefully the Ecobuild exhibition will encourage businesses to make the first move.

'Air hybrid' cars would be cheaper than electric hybrids, claims researcher

The Guardian - Storing energy as compressed air rather than in batteries would reduce the cost of green hybrid cars, say researchers in Sweden.

Discard this common fisheries policy and stop this waste

The Guardian - The EU has finally proposed a ban on the senseless practice of 'discard'. Now it must talk to fishermen to work out how to do this.

Homebuyers ignore efficiency labels

The Guardian - A Consumer Focus report found 79% of prospective buyers did not act on recommendations of energy performance certificates.

When did we discover man-made climate change?

The Guardian - This question and answer is part of the Guardian's ultimate climate change FAQ.

Winter woodland: Your Green shoots photographs

The Guardian - We asked for your pictures of woodland in winter, when the low sun makes for some great angles for photographers

Biofuel boom could follow oil price spike | Damian Carrington

The Guardian - When biofuels match oil on price, production could boom in the developing countries that also have the greatest need to boost food supply.

What's the most eco-friendly alternative to a garden patio?

The Guardian - Decking, concrete slabs and limestone all come with environmental problems - so what's the best option?

China's take on the current issues in climate talks

Environmental News Network - China, the world's biggest greenhouse gas emitter, wants rich nations to vow bigger cuts to emissions as part of a new international deal on fighting global warming, Beijing's top climate negotiator said on Tuesday.

Mobile phones boost brain activity

New Scientist - Brain activity near a phone's antenna increases during a call, but whether this is harmful is not known.

UN sets out blueprint for greening the world's economy

The Guardian - A UN report outlines path to kickstart economic growth after the recession, without generating a rise in emissions

What are the main man-made greenhouse gases?

The Guardian - The strength of the Earth's greenhouse effect is determined by the concentration in the atmosphere of a handful of greenhouse gases. The one that causes the most warming overall is water vapour as human activity affects it indirectly rather than directly.

Fewer Big Fish in the Sea

Environmental News Network - Fewer big, predatory fish are swimming in the world's oceans because of overfishing by humans, leaving smaller fish to thrive and double in force over the past 100 years, scientists said Friday. Big fish such as cod, tuna, and groupers have declined worldwide by two-thirds while the number of anchovies, sardines and capelin has surged in their absence, said University of British Columbia researchers.

Climate change no problem, says futurist Ray Kurzweil

The Guardian - Futurist Ray Kurzweil says "we have plenty of time" to replace fossil fuels with renewables. Author, inventor, and futurist Ray Kurzweil famously and accurately predicted that a computer would beat a man at chess by 1998, that technologies that help spread information would accelerate the collapse of the Soviet Union, and that a worldwide communications network would emerge in the mid 1990s (i.e. the internet).

EU to ban six toxic chemicals in household plastics

Environmental News Network - The European Union will ban six toxic chemicals within three to five years, three of which are commonly used in plastic household items, the European Commission said on this week.

The dirty history of corporate spying

The Guardian - Private spying by large corporations into the affairs of environmental groups, as revealed by the Guardian, is nothing new in the US. Last November, as Mother Jones reported, Greenpeace went into federal district court in Washington, seeking an injunction against Dow Chemical Company and Sasol North America for meddling in its internal affairs. (Sasol is the big South African energy company with operations, including chemicals, in the US.)

World Bank warns of soaring food price dangers

The Guardian - The World Bank has given a stark warning of the impact of the rising cost of food, saying an estimated 44 million people had been pushed into poverty since last summer by soaring commodity prices.

How much oil does Saudi Arabia actually have?

The Guardian - Does anyone know how much oil Saudi Arabia has left? Last week a series of US diplomatic cables from 2007-2009 and released by WikiLeaks suggested that senior US embassy staff were warning Washington that reserves could be 40% less than stated and that "peak oil" might be imminent.

I eat out of bins too. So what?

The Guardian - Sasha Hall must have thought she was in luck when she found a bin outside Tesco overflowing with food. She helped herself to packets of potato waffles, pies and ham %u2013 a small fraction of the goods that had been abandoned after the store's freezers broke down. But when police arrived at the 21-year-old's home in Essex to arrest her for "theft by finding", those waffles must have looked less lucky.

Eyewitness: Population explosion

The Guardian - Photographs from the Guardian Eyewitness series

Green kitchen renovation

Ecoki - The new year often brings about two things: (1) Resolutions that we (always/sometimes/never) keep for our (health/body/mind/life). And (2) house organization and renovations. The best kind? Making the latter more eco-friendly.The benefits will include a cheaper electricity bill, a more stylish home, and, of course, some love to our awesome planet.

Barack Obama 2012 budget provides $8bn for clean energy

The Guardian - President Barack Obama proposed on Monday to boost funds for clean energy research and deployment in his 2012 budget by slashing subsidies for fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal.

Are Anti-oxidants Keeping You Young and Infertile?

Environmental News Network - It's a tale with two endings, a conundrum for consumers of antioxidant-rich foods, drinks and facial products. What has been touted as a natural way to slow the aging process by minimizing cell damage via oxidation may be one culprit in female infertility. So suggests Professor Nava Dekel of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel.

Earth economist: The food bubble is about to burst

New Scientist - We're fast draining the fresh water resources our farms rely on, warns Lester Brown, president of the Earth Policy Institute.

Will intensified farming save the rainforests?

New Scientist - The idea that you can save the natural world by increasing the efficiency of agriculture is very appealing. But Fred Pearce is far from convinced

BP, Other Oil Companies Update Transparency Guidelines

Environmental Leader - Oil and gas companies including BP, Chevron and ExxonMobil have contributed to updated guidance on improving transparency in environmental reporting.

What is Sustainability? Discussion by Gale Tedhams

Environmental Leader - Director, Sustainability, Green Products and Communications, Owens Corning, talks about the factors that are driving the conversation about sustainability in manufacturing.

Environmental Lessons Learned from 2010

Environmental Leader - As we enter 2011, we join much of the Western world in reflecting on the past year and making resolutions for the New Year.

Whaling in Japan is on the verge of collapse

The Guardian - The tide of public opinion in Japan has finally begun to turn against the whalers.

Spain's salad growers are modern-day slaves, say charities

The Guardian - Investigation uncovers plight of migrant workers who live in appalling conditions and are paid half of legal minimum wage.

Polluted perfume could put pollinators off the scent

New Scientist - Insect pollinators are more responsive to scent than previously realised, offering a new reason for their decline and new hope to reverse the trend.

Observer Ethical Awards 2011: judge Guy Watson

The Guardian - Observer Ethical Awards 2011

Garnaut calls Australia 'a drag' on climate action

ABC - The Government's climate change adviser, Ross Garnaut, says Australia needs to catch up to the rest of the world in its efforts to address climate change.

Yasi does 10yrs damage to Barrier Reef

ABC - Authorities say hundreds of kilometres of the Great Barrier Reef hit by Cyclone Yasi will take up to 10 years to recover.

Forestry shows us what is wrong with UK politics

The Guardian - The majority of people want to see forests protected but instead of action, they get rhetoric, spin and broken promises.

After the birds vanish, plants are next to go

New Scientist - The first evidence is in to confirm that plunging bird populations could lead to the slow decline of plant species.

Making life, but not as we know it

New Scientist - Can you create life from scratch using different chemical building blocks to ours? An ambitious new experiment aims to find out, says Katharine Sanderson.

The Livewell diet: it's cheap, it's nutritious and it could help save the planet

The Guardian - Can you save the planet over lunch? Can the amount of chicken in your curry or milk in your coffee make a difference? Researchers now claim it can: in fact, they say, if we all switched to eating what they would like to see on our plates, we could cut Britain's greenhouse gas emissions by a quarter and be a lot healthier too.

BP to cut production amid impact of Deepwater Horizon spill

The Guardian - Bob Dudley, BP's chief executive, will scrap the company's production targets when he lays out his vision this week for a smaller, more exploration-focused company after last April's Gulf of Mexico disaster.

Can I ditch my computer and be green?

The Guardian - There is a disheartening moment when your computer makes weird noises and enforces Moore's law %u2013 which decrees that the computing power bought for a certain amount of money doubles every 18 months %u2013 by signalling its own obsolescence.

Vegetarian secret weapons

Ecoki - In the last few years, there has become a trend to label some types of food as %u201Csuperfoods%u201D.

Setting an example on climate change

ABC - News Corporation has the power to do far more to counter the risk of catastrophic climate change than merely to reduce its own emissions.

Efficiency could cut world energy use over 70 per cent

New Scientist - Clean coal? Solar power? No need, according to a new study: massive energy savings can be realised simply by using less.

Bank of China Branch Cuts Paper 95%

Environmental Leader - Bank of China's London operations have reduced paper consumption by 95 percent with help from IBM, the companies have announced.

Does Your Green Company Buy Green?

Environmental Leader - It may seem like a silly question but after working with some of the oldest and greenest companies in the country, as well as some of the smallest and newest, I have noticed some great discrepancies between what a green company says or in many cases what they sell and what they do or buy.

What is the greenhouse effect?

The Guardian - One of the main factors determining the temperature of a planet, whereby gases in the atmosphere trap heat. See all questions and answers. Read about the project

Who owns which ethical brand?

The Guardian - A survey published tomorrow shows consumers are largely ignorant of the companies behind ethical brands. Test your knowledge with our quiz. Which parent company is linked to which brand?

Can you put a price on nature?

The Guardian - The idea of conservation credits is now being pushed hard by government. Can it work?

Making Smart cars smarter - video

The Guardian - Scientists at Newcastle University are working on a Smart car battery that will allow the electric cars to travel the same distance as petrol and diesel cars without re-charging

Green Patriot Posters

The Guardian - Green Patriot Posters is a new book of posters on the theme of sustainability by some of the world's most prominent graphic designers and artists.

Aussies urged to love 'ugly' fruit

ABC - A campaign is being urged to teach Australians to love 'ugly' fruit.

Going green on Valentine's Day

Ecoki - It's right around the bend. That quintessential love-filled day. You know the one, Valentine's Day. Unfortunately, all those useless red, pink and white cards can do a little damage to the environment, too. Luckily, our friends at Rainforest Alliance have put together a Green Guide to Valentine's Day.

Chinese megacities foster unlikely green citizens

New Scientist - A survey shows that, in China, the urban elite is most likely to get environmental gold stars.

We can feed 9 billion people in 2050

New Scientist - Future humans need not starve in order to preserve the environment, according to a major report on sustainability.

CES 2011: Ford charges into electric car market with app-enabled car

The Guardian - When the range a car can drive might be limited by how charged its battery is, you need some smart technology to help you out - and that's what Ford is showing off.

Lessons on environment as important as the three Rs, says Attenborough

The Guardian - Veteran presenter says nature classes should be on a par with maths and English for children 'estranged' from the natural world Classes on the environment are just as important as lessons in maths and English for today's children, veteran natural history presenter Sir David Attenborough has told the Guardian.

Your coffee and the environment

Ecoki - Your delicious, smooth morning coffee. Can't imagine waking up without it, right? Well, do you know the impact that your coffee makes to the environment? And what about the workers producing those beans? Enter: SealYourCup.org, a website launched by our friends at the Rainforest Alliance.

Which is the bigger eco-villain: plastic or paper?

The Guardian - Plastic is held up as a symbol of the environmental damage of disposable culture. But does it deserve its bad reputation?

Financial problems could wipe out commercial whaling

Environmental News Network - Commercial whaling by many nations continues despite an international ban and widescale condemnation. What may end the practice, argues Peter Nolan-Smith, is that the financial incentives are starting to dry up.

How to judge the 'greenest government ever'

The Guardian - How should we assess David Cameron's ambitious green pledge? Is it all about climate change, energy security and jobs? What about forests, national parks and badgers?

La Nina and monsoonal winds flood northern Australia

New Scientist - A strong La Nina and an active monsoonal trough are responsible for the devastating floods in Queensland.

WikiLeaks: US targets EU over GM crops

The Guardian - US embassy cable recommends drawing up list of countries for 'retaliation' over opposition to genetic modification. The US embassy in Paris advised Washington to start a military-style trade war against any European Union country which opposed genetically modified (GM) crops, newly released WikiLeaks cables show.

Can Italy carry off its plastic bag ban?

The Guardian - Environmentalists may welcome the government's decision, but many Italians say they're unprepared for such a 'cultural change' The plastic bags ban in Italy has provoked a mixed reaction, but Stefania Prestigiacomo, the environment minister, has said there is no going back on the government's decision: "Sustainability is made of little changes to our lifestyle that don't cost us anything and can save the planet."

Most Read Environmental Management and Sustainable Business Stories of 2010

Environmental Leader - With 2010 in the books, it's a good time to look back at the environmental and sustainability management stories that struck a cord with our executive readership.

20 predictions for the next 25 years

The Guardian - From the web to wildlife, the economy to nanotechnology, politics to sport, the Observer's team of experts prophesy how the world will change for good or bad in the next quarter of a century.

2010: The year in environment

The Guardian - The BP oil spill, climate science under the spotlight, soaring global temperatures and UN climate talks - the stories of 2010 in pictures

Christmas trees could make a great green fuel

New Scientist - An air-free roasting process readies trees and other biomass to replace coal as fuel for power plants.

Smoked jellyfish: The roast of Christmas future

New Scientist - Tomorrow's festive fare will be very different from today's, says gastronaut Stefan Gates, but there'll be no shortage of tasty treats on offer.

2011 preview: Charge of the electric car

New Scientist - At long last, major car companies will offer electric cars as part of their regular product line.

Fox News chief enforced climate change scepticism - leaked email

The Guardian - Email obtained by Media Matters reveals reporters were under orders to cast doubt on any mention of climate change

Report: Calculations put millions at risk

The Guardian - Emissions cuts of 16% by 2030 needed to have at least 70% chance of avoiding climate catastrophe, says Friends of the Earth Governments are gambling recklessly with human lives by wilfully underestimating the depth of the emission cuts they must makein the next 40 years, a new study has found.

Tidal Power

Environmental News Network - Tidal power, also called tidal energy, is a form of hydropower that converts the energy of tides into electricity or other useful forms of power. The first large-scale tidal power plant (the Rance Tidal Power Station) started operation in 1966. Harnessing the power of ocean tides has long been imagined, but countries are only now putting it into practice.

Salty solar plant stores sun's heat

New Scientist - The plentiful sunshine of southern Spain is being harvested to generate electricity day and night

2010: probably the hottest year ever recorded

The Guardian - Temperature records tumbled in Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Burma and Pakistan, causing heatwaves and devastated harvests. 2010 was the year of the heatwave, with record temperatures set in 17 countries. Two leading groups of scientists say it was the warmest since records began in 1850; another suggests it was the second-warmest.

How to Save Money in 11 Easy Ways

Ecoki - It's always the little things that help move us in the right direction. Perhaps we lower the thermostat a couple degrees and see our energy bill drop. Maybe we cut out out mindless snacking and our pants fit a little better.

Shaking off the Dominance of Energy Giants

The Guardian - Any move to a sustainable future is unlikely while it is not in the interests of the energy companies to deliver more efficiently After more than 25 years working on energy issues, I have recently come to an extraordinary personal realisation: there is very little need to have heating bills at all.

A muted cheer for the Cancun agreement | Observer editorial

The Guardian - Too many issues were left unresolved for the talks to be deemed an unqualified success. But progress was undoubtedly made.

Can I buy a Christmas tree and be green?

The Guardian - Christmas trees come at a high human price, so branch out into the fairtrade option and have yourself a guilt-free Christmas.

The Deal - Reaction LIVE

The Guardian - Negotiators have reached a deal at the UN climate talks in Cancun. Read the full reaction here.

What exactly is the climate?

The Guardian - The first and most fundamental question in the Guardian's Ultimate climate change FAQ's.

Report an error in the ultimate cliamte change FAQ

The Guardian - We are working with various partners to ensure that The ultimate climate change FAQ is as accurate as possible. But if you are an expert in one of the topics discussed and would like to report an error or make a suggestion then please do get in touch using the form below. If you'd like to suggest a question that you would like to see the FAQ answer, please use the separate form on this page.

Distribution of climate funds a sticking point

ABC - One of the big sticking points at the climate summit in Cancun is how best to distribute the $30 billion promised under the Copenhagen Accord.

Green Diet

Environmental News Network - More than 7 out of 10 said it was good for restaurants to protect the environment. The only problem is that very few restaurants market themselves as green or environmentally friendly, said Jay Kandampully, co-author of the study and professor of consumer sciences at Ohio State University.

'Passive' Australia urged to step up in Cancun

ABC - Australia is coming under pressure at the Cancun climate talks to take a harder line with its allies in order to ensure the opportunity for progress is not missed.

Cancun Climate Change Talks: Richard Branson Calls for Global Carbon Taxes

The Guardian - Global industry should be able to remove 17bn tons of emissions by 2020, Virgin chief tells Cancun climate change summit. If governments fail to reach agreement on tackling climate change, global industry should be able to remove 17bn tons of projected CO2e emissions by 2020 and stabilise the climate, Virgin chief Richard Branson has said at the UN climate talks in Cancun. But he tempered his optimism that the world's entrepreneurs could slash emissions better than states by saying that governments had to set the framework for business to go green.

The Melt: Himalayan glaciers disappear

The Guardian - Video: Glacial melt in the Himalayas will affect over 2 billion people unless we act now to cut emissions, say the Asia Society, who made this film.

Your Questions Answered

The Guardian - The world's most respected scientific bodies have stated that there is strong evidence that humans are driving the warming.

The Ultimate Climate Change FAQ: Keep Your Questions Coming

The Guardian - We hope to produce the definitive and most accessible guide to climate change, covering science, politics and economics.

New Google Earth Technology Allows Tracking of Environmental Changes

Environmental News Network - Google has unveiled an online technology that allows scientists and researchers to track and measure changes to the environment using 25 years worth of satellite data. Google Earth Engine, introduced during climate talks in Cancun, utilizes "trillions of scientific measurements" collected by NASA's LANDSAT satellite, the company said. Google is already working on applications for tracking deforestation and mapping land use trends, including the creation of the most comprehensive scale map of Mexico's forest and water resources ever made.

Exorcising the Ghosts of Copenhagen

The Guardian - UN offers assurances that rich countries will not attempt to force agreements with developing nations at the talks

Great Green Gift Guide (Part I)

Ecoki - Giving gifts is one of the greatest part of the holidays; who can deny how great it is to see someone you love opening up a carefully chosen gift just for them?Lucky for us, the Rainforest Alliance let us know about their top gifts for everyone on your list!

Reflective Crops Could Cool the Planet

Environmental News Network - Planting more reflective versions of crops could cool regional temperatures in summertime, reducing the impact of increasing global temperatures in these areas, according to ongoing research. Increasing the reflectivity of crop plants by 20 percent could decrease temperatures in a given area by about one degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit), said Joy Singarayer of the University of Bristol, United Kingdom.

Use the profit motive to fight climate change

The Guardian - The British prime minister argues that there are huge gains to be made from a green economy.

Climate talks: what you need to know

New Scientist - The talks that are meant to fix the world's climate resume on Monday in Cancun, Mexico. New Scientist explains what's at stake and the likely outcome.

Polar Bears get a Thanksgiving present this year

Environmental News Network - More than 187,000 square miles (approximately 120 million acres) along the north coast of Alaska were designated today as "critical habitat" for the polar bear as a result of a partial settlement in an ongoing lawsuit brought by the Center for Biological Diversity, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Greenpeace against the Department of the Interior. This designation under the Endangered Species Act is intended to safeguard those coastal lands and waters under U.S. jurisdiction that are vital to the polar bears%u2019 survival and recovery.

Most wanted list of climate change culprits rewritten

New Scientist - Is China or the US the number one cause of global warming? It all depends how you look at the numbers, says a new analysis.

Glowing trees could light up city streets

New Scientist - A new genetic toolkit should make it easy to give bacteria and even plants the ability to glow %u2013 they'll make great street lights

Environmental Mission Statements: Winning Ways

Environmental Leader - An environmental mission statement is the foundation of a company%u2019s sustainability efforts. It provides the organization and its stakeholders with an understanding of why�protecting the natural world�is important to the business. It also establishes environmental goals and describes how the company will look when their sustainability objectives are achieved.

Marks and Spence Makes Progress on 2015 Eco Goals

Environmental Leader - UK retailer Marks and Spencer says it's on track to become the world's most sustainable major retailer by 2015, reports Energy Efficiency News. The retailer expects to meet half of its 180 sustainability targets by April, well ahead of schedule, according to the company's latest progress report.

China bucks recession trend to keep emissions high

New Scientist - The global financial crisis caused carbon emissions to drop in 2009, but not by as much as expected as China and India kept growing

Row erupts over number of big fish in the sea

New Scientist - Fisheries scientists are at odds over whether fishing fleets are depleting the oceans of large species.

HP Pledges to Use 100M lbs of Recycled Plastic by 2011

Environmental Leader - HP has produced more than 1 billion ink cartridges manufactured with recycled plastic, according to the company's latest environmental update on reducing waste, materials reuse and recycling. HP also has pledged to use a total of 100 million pounds of recycled plastic in printing products by 2011 (cumulatively, since 2007).

Plan Sustainability Communications, Not Green Marketing, for 2011

Environmental Leader - I hear from lots of companies that they don't do much to promote their sustainability initiatives, citing either fear of being accused of greenwashing or the fact that they are doing it for the right reason, not for the publicity.

Troposphere is warming too, decades of data show

Environmental News Network - Not only is Earth's surface warming, but the troposphere -- the lowest level of the atmosphere, where weather occurs -- is heating up too, U.S. and British meteorologists reported on Monday.

The year climate science was redefined | Mike Hulme

The Guardian - The 12 months since the leaking of emails written by climate change scientists have seen major shifts in environmental debate.

EPA is Seeking New Standards for Home Efficiency Retrofits

Environmental News Network - In seeking to establish new standards for home improvements that would increase energy efficiency, the EPA is asking for comments from the public. They have released a draft protocol which contains a series of best practice tools that would protect indoor air quality during a home energy retrofit. The goal is to devise a set of standards that would ultimately ensure health standards of building occupants during and after such a renovation.

Xerox Employees' Green Ideas Save Company $10.2 Million

Environmental News Network - One way to dismiss sustainability and any smidgen of corporate social responsibility is to shout the antiquated argument that we only have a choice between the economy and the environment. Xerox has shown that is not the case. Last year the company announced it was working on carbon neutrality; to that end, in the push to make the company more "green," Xerox encouraged its employees to share ideas on how the organization could become more efficient. Green can be lean, and the environment can lend itself to economy, to tweak the word a tad.

Green machine: Markets hint at 100-year energy gap

New Scientist - A study of share prices suggests investors don't expect alternative-energy technology to take off until 2140, a century after we run out of oil.

Country vs city: Green spaces are better for you

New Scientist - Country-dwellers miss out on the bustle and bright lights %u2013 but getting back to nature is good for everything from diabetes to depression.

City vs country: The concrete jungle is greener

New Scientist - They may not have so many trees to hug, but city slickers lead more environmentally friendly lives than their country cousins.

Natural, homemade Christmas ornaments

Ecoki - The eco-friendliest Christmas ornaments and decorations are usually made within your own home and the experts on creating holiday Christmas ornaments are about ages 4-10.

Space tourism could have big impact on climate

New Scientist - Soot from suborbital spaceships could melt ice at the poles, suggest the first detailed simulations of the climatic effects of space tourism.

Halloween Costumes for Greenies [PHOTOS]

Planetsave - Halloween is coming up, �and if you haven't decided on a costume yet, it's probably a good time to start thinking about one.

Industrial farming puts ecosystems at risk of collapse, warns Prince Charles

The Guardian - Farming methods must be low-impact, organic and low-carbon to protect natural resources for the long term Prince Charles has warned that the world's ecosystems face collapse because of a dangerous over-reliance on industrial farming systems that work against nature rather than with it.

Global food crisis: prices reach record high

The Guardian - Soaring cost of staple foods such as meat, sugar, rice and wheat could cause instability in many countries

Costa Rica recognised for biodiversity protection

The Guardian - Central American nation wins 2010 Future Policy award for pioneering legal protection of natural wealth. Costa Rica was today named as the winner of the 2010 Future Policy award at a global summit on biodiversity in Nagoya, Japan. The Central American country aims to be the first developing nation to meet UN biodiversity commitments. The prize, issued by the World Future Council, was given in recognition of the country's 1998 biodiversity law, which was held up as a model for other nations to follow.

BP 'not quitting America', despite Gulf oil spill, Bob Dudley tells CBI

The Guardian - BP is rebuilding US trust after Deepwater Horizon oil spill, its chief executive tells the Confederation of British Industry. Bob Dudley, chief executive of BP, said emphatically today that the oil firm "will not be quitting America" in the wake of the devastating explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig that caused an environmental crisis in the Gulf of Mexico and left 11 workers dead.

Compostable tray heralds new era for chocolate boxes

The Guardian - Marks & Spencer launches packaging for chocolate range that can break down on the compost heap. It is perhaps the ultimate guilt-free invention for die-hard chocoholics looking to destroy the evidence of their crime. After the chocolates have been devoured, the empty tray %u2013 scourge of recyclers %u2013 can not only be put on the compost heap, but will also disappear completely if placed under a running tap.

Ecotourism conference opens at Noosa

ABC - Tourism representatives from around the world are on Queensland's Sunshine Coast for the Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism conference.

Air Pollution Control by Trees

Environmental News Network - Trees and other vegetation must use what is in their environment. So it is not surprising to find that they absorb pollutants (natural or man made) which may be absorbed successfully or may cause the vegetation to die.

Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2010 winners

Telegraph.co.uk - Winning images from this year's Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

Climate change battle moves to courtrooms

New Scientist - The little guys are suing energy giants for the effects of climate change %u2013 could they succeed in changing US legislation where Congress has failed?

Green machine: Trees may spell trouble for wind power

New Scientist - Burgeoning forests not only keep CO2 levels in check, they also cut wind speeds , with unfortunate effects for energy generation.

Asia tops climate change's 'most vulnerable' list

New Scientist - Ten of the 16 countries most vulnerable to climate change are in Asia; to escape the worst, move to Scandinavia, Ireland or Iceland.

Green machine: Where do solar cells go when they die?

New Scientist - The first generation of solar panels is about to expire and their disposal risks tarnishing the industry's green credentials.

How much would you pay for planet Earth?

New Scientist - Putting a cash value on nature may give officials heading to a biodiversity summit the jolt they need.

Veganism and the Planet

Ecoki - Believe it or not, I don%u2019t have long, unbrushed hair. I don’t don Birkenstocks through summer, sleet and snow.� I prefer hotels to camping, am not keen on picketing outside of fast food joints, and do not particularly enjoy having a pet. I do, however, eat a plant-based foods diet.

Nuclear Power and GM food is Needed to Prevent Global Warming says Stewart Brand

The Guardian - 'Techno-hippy' and lifelong green Stewart Brand says a shift to nuclear power and GM food is needed to prevent global warming.

Can I Buy Bread and be Green?

The Guardian - Don't buy industrially processed bread %u2013 take matters into your own hands%u2026

Mice, Men and Exercise

Environmental News Network - To exercise or not to exercise, that is the question. Perhaps it is not a question. Working on mice in the lab, researchers have found that activity level can be enhanced with "selective breeding" - the process of breeding plants and animals for particular genetic traits. Their experiments showed that mice that were bred to be good runners produced good running offspring, indicating that the offspring had inherited the trait for that activity which may be called exercise.

A New Earth?

Environmental News Network - Astronomers have found a new, potentially habitable Earth-sized planet. It is one of two new planets discovered around the star Gliese 581, some 20 light years away from our own. The planet, Gliese 581g, is located in a "habitable zone"%u2014a distance from the star where the planet receives just the right amount of stellar energy to maintain liquid water at or near the planet's surface.

More than 4 million barrels of oil entered Gulf

New Scientist - First independent study shows US government got their sums right with estimate of 4.1 million barrels of oil.

Pollution not to blame for rapid ocean cooling, says Phil Jones paper

The Guardian - Scientists studying a rapid cooling of the oceans around four decades ago have found that the traditional explanation for the phenomenon, which involved pollution in the atmosphere, does not stack up.

Talks may not reach a deal but there are still reasons for optimism | Andy Atkins

The Guardian - There is time to agree a new commitment period of the Kyoto protocol from 2012 if rich countries face their responsibilities. When it comes to tackling climate change, the UN climate talks are the only show in town %u2013 but based only on previous performances, the chance of any future standing ovation is looking pretty dire. The main act %u2013 Copenhagen %u2013 fell flat on its face; sideshows such as the Major Economies Forum and G20 conferences are pulling in more punters and the behemoth of climate change is already running amok %u2013 with rich and poor arguing on the sidelines over who should be more responsible for taming it.

Are the climate change deniers with no evidence just naturally gullible? | George Monbiot

The Guardian - I've often been struck by the way in which people who subscribe to one set of baseless beliefs are susceptible to others, in fields that are not obviously related. The internet is awash with sites that explain how the US government destroyed the twin towers %u2013 and how alien landings have been covered up by the authorities. Many of those who insist that Barack Obama is a Muslim also believe that sex education raises the incidence of unwanted pregnancies. A rich collection of unfounded beliefs is a common characteristic of those who deny %u2013 despite the overwhelming scientific evidence %u2013 that man-made global warming is taking place. I've listed a few examples before, but I'll jog your memories.

Ernst & Young Cuts Americas Carbon Footprint 15%

Environmental Leader - Ernst &; Young has achieved a 15 percent reduction in the overall carbon footprint of its member firms in the Americas from 2008 to 2009 fiscal year. The company also reported a 12 percent reduction in intensity, or carbon footprint per person, for the 41, 487 employees in the Americas.

5 Reasons Why Green Marketing Is a New World

Environmental Leader - To succeed in making green marketing a reputable undertaking, boldly going where no marketer has gone before is not only a prerogative, but an obligation.

Turning Teenagers on to the Benefits of Being Green

The Guardian - A new project aims to convince teenagers of the benefits of being environmentally friendly by 2013 by making it cool!

Who Are Your Green Heroes?

The Guardian - Faced with the mind-numbing bad news about the environment over recent months, a couple of us at the Guardian decided to try to cheer ourselves up by finding examples of the right kind of environmental change. We set out to find 50 green pioneers, people who are making a practical difference but whose work is not yet widely known.

Cane Toads Aren't Quite the Bad Guys We Thought

New Scientist - It's invaded Australia, but the cane toad has not triggered the ecological catastrophe that some predicted.

BP's Deepwater Horizon report doesn't really spill the beans

The Guardian - Even if BP's finding of 'multiple causes' of the Gulf of Mexico disaster is accepted, it is still unclear whether the company will be found grossly negligent.

Deepwater Horizon's final moments

The Guardian - BP report highlights failures leading to biggest offshore oil spill in history.

Refurbished Rivers Bring Salmon and Trout Flooding Back

The Guardian - Numbers of fish hit record highs thanks to improved habitats and action to clean polluted waterways.

Global Insurers Want a Role in UN Climate Negotiations

Environmental Leader - Four associations on climate change initiatives, which represent more than 100 insurance companies, are urging world leaders and governments to use insurance-linked products and risk management mechanisms to help developing countries�deal with the�impact of climate change, reports Reuters.

PepsiCo Water Report: Water Efficiency Improves 15 %

Environmental Leader - PepsiCo�has achieved a more than 15 percent improvement in water use efficiency as compared to the company's 2006 baseline, according to the company's inaugural water report .

How e-Invoicing Can Save a Small Forest

Environmental Leader - At many companies, accounts payable (AP) departments are responsible for processing invoices and interacting with suppliers, ranging from small %u201Cmom and pop%u201D businesses to large multinational organizations. For some global organizations, their invoice totals can easily top thousands of sheets of paper each week.

How to Save the Reefs

Environmental News Network - The world should safeguard coral reefs with networks of small no-fishing zones to confront threats such as climate change, and shift from favoring single, big protected areas, a U.N. study showed.

Life as a Climate-Mum isn't Straightforward but it is Interesting | Gail Whiteman

The Guardian - I'm torn. Between work and family, between trying to make a difference in the world and at the same time do the dishes.

BP spreads blame for explosion

The Guardian - BP releases its report into the oil spill which followed the Deepwater Horizon explosion in the Gulf of Mexico.

Bees Stung by 'Climate Change-Linked' Early Pollination

The Guardian - Climate change may be causing flowers to open before bees emerge from hibernation leading to declines in pollination, new research suggests.

Climate's Right for Change to Carbon Debate

ABC - The Greens MP and independents who threw their lot in with Labor have made it clear they want to see action taken on climate change.

Forest Carbon Stores May be Massively Overestimated

New Scientist - We may have to dramatically revise our estimates of how much carbon rainforests contain %u2013 apparently similar forests hold vastly different amounts.

Conservation and Compassion: First Do No Harm.

New Scientist - In putting conservation into practice, we often cause great suffering to animals. Marc Bekoff argues that we need a new ethical perspective.

Australian Capital Territory to pass tough carbon cutting laws

The Guardian - ACT's climate change and greenhouse gas reduction bill aims to cut carbon emissions by 40% by 2020 from 1990 levels.

Letters: Apple turns off the green pathway

The Guardian - Apple's decision to opt out of the UK's green ranking scheme for mobile phones (Apple bars iPhones from green ranking scheme, 25 August) illustrates neatly the challenges facing businesses and government in finding workable, universally agreed methods to reduce the "product shadows" of a huge range of consumer goods.

GM Salmon May Go on Sale in US After Public Consultation

The Guardian - Food and Drug administration begins 60-day process to approve animal critics call a 'frankenfish' Artificial meat? Food for thought by 2050.

Could a Superbee from Swindon Save the World?

The Guardian - A honeybee bred in the town could kill the mite that has wiped out billions of bees around the world.

BP frozen out of Arctic oil drilling race

The Guardian - British energy giant BP forced to abandon hopes of Greenland exploration owing to tarnished reputation from Gulf oil spill.

Time to Blame Climate Change for Extreme Weather?

New Scientist - Climate researchers are starting to put figures on how much climate change is to blame for weather events, opening the door to claims for compensation.

Are Genetically Modified Foods an Eco-Friendly Choice?

Ecoki - Is it possible to go green and eat genetically modified foods? Does eco-friendly cuisine correspond with cross-contaminated organisms? Let's get the facts straight.

Pee is for Power: Your Electrifying Excretions

New Scientist - Why let your waste go to waste when it could be powering your mobile phone %u2013 or even your car?

Non Chemical Cleaning Aids That are Normally Found in the Kitchen

Ecoki - Everyday ingredients can do double duty in cleaning your home. By utilizing foods found in the pantry, you not only help out the environment, but also your health and your wallet.

There will be no nuclear renaissance

The Guardian - Nuclear energy is not on the rise %u2013 the hard facts point to a continuing, slow phase-out around the world. Repeatedly in recent years there have been calls for a revival of nuclear power. Yet that renaissance never seems to come.

We Can Cut Emissions While Conserving our Landscapes and Ecosystems | Dustin Benton

The Guardian - Fighting climate change is not only about energy %u2013 it's about how we want our landscapes to look, work and be worked.

Pakistan Flood Aid Pledged, Country by Country - Visualised Data

The Guardian - Pakistan will need millions in aid following the floods. Find out which countries have donated what so far - and where the funding gaps are.

The New Breeds of Cars

Environmental News Network - Decades ago the only type of car was the internal combustion (gasoline)type. Other varieties have arrived such as Hybrid and electric. With the new choices are other decisions such as which one reduces most the carbon footprint (or is the most green)and which one is the most cost effective. No more is "the miles per gallon" a standard that can be applied across the board as a specification.

Meat-Free Monday Are You In?

Ecoki - Paul McCartney has recently launched Meat Free Monday, an environmental campaign to raise awareness of the�impact of meat production and consumption has on climate change.

Another false dawn? BP faces delay in shutting off new well cap

The Guardian - BP has suffered yet another setback in its efforts to stem the flow of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, announcing it has been forced to postpone planned tests on turning off valves on a new tighter-fitting cap over the leak. The gradual shut-off was seen as the first real chance to stop the leak since the start of the environmental disaster almost three months ago.

Six Ways to Drive a Little Greener

Ecoki - Driving green doesn't mean investing in a smaller, fuel-efficient car or opting for a hybrid. You can easily start driving green with what you already have. Here are six tips to help you get started:

Eco warrior's Pacific journey shows how 'dumb plastic' is killing our seas

The Guardian - "After 100 days at sea," David de Rothschild suggests, "you realise that it should be called planet Ocean rather than planet Earth." De Rothschild is speaking from the island of New Caledonia "an odd little bit of France in the South Seas" the night before his boat, the Plastiki, embarks on the final leg of a voyage that should finish in Sydney harbour in a fortnight.

National bottle recycling scheme on the agenda

ABC - A coalition of green groups is demanding action be taken to introduce a national recycling scheme for cans and bottles.

Redd not working? United Nations warned that corruption is undermining grants to stop logging

The Guardian - Human rights and environment groups yesterday called for a radical rethink of the United Nations scheme, known as Redd (Reduced emissions from deforestation and degradation), after it emerged that many countries were trying to cheat the system.

Major Dilemma: Can I fill up the tank and be green?

The Guardian - Now that we've all seen the pelicans smothered in crude oil courtesy of BP's deepwater drilling project in the Gulf of Mexico - a visceral depiction of the reality of humankind's addiction to hydrocarbons - the forecourt becomes a moral maze. "Ethical petrol" is an oxymoron of some magnitude. From the small-scale: Esso's pet tiger Tessa apparently died in a bare concrete enclosure in a shopping mall to the large-scale, including ExxonMobil's funding of climate-change denial and Total's links to the Burmese regime, there's plenty of fuel for criticism. If you are interested in more than profits, there are a few ways to rate oil and gas companies by something other than profit.

Time-Lapse Video of BP Oil Spill, Courtesy of NASA [VIDEO]

Planetsave - NASA recently released a time-lapse video of the BP oil spill using excellent satellite images.

Why do they earn so much when "they didn't know"? Flat British excuses from Hayward and Sullivan

The Guardian - It's been a humbling fortnight for top British businessmen on Capitol Hill. First BP's Tony Hayward wriggled his way through a seven-hour examination on the Gulf oil spill. Then another tarnished export, the former AIG boss Martin Sullivan, delivered a cringe-inducing performance under fire over the insurance company's implosion. Both men offered essentially the same message - critical decisions were taken at levels far below their watch. They didn't know, and couldn't have been expected to know, the details of everything that was happening in their global organisations. And when pressed on specifics, their memories proved to be faulty.

And the bad news keeps on coming: Biologists find 'dead zones' around BP oil spill in Gulf

The Guardian - Methane at 100,000 times normal levels have been creating oxygen-depleted areas devoid of life near BP's Deepwater Horizon spill, according to two independent scientists.

Mandatory viewing for all BP executives: BP oil spill: live video stream

The Guardian - Watch a live video stream of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, courtesy of PBS Newshour.

Moving Forestry to the Forefront of the Carbon Market

Environmental Leader - An estimated 16% of the total global GHG emissions are directly attributed to the destruction of tropical forests.

Almost unbelievable: Oil firms challenge U.S. deepwater drilling ban

Environmental News Network - Oil services companies were waiting on Tuesday to see if their legal bid would succeed in overturning a six-month ban on deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico as more fishing areas were closed in response to the worst oil spill in U.S. history.

Don't cry for investors burned by BP

The Guardian - As ethical shareholders steered clear, other fund managers kept endorsing the oil firm's ecologically disastrous risk-taking.

When is this barbaric act going to stop? Norwegian boat uses exploding harpoons to hunt whales

The Guardian - Footage from the World Society of Protection of Animals showing a minke whale suffer harpoon wounds for potentially two hours before dying

Here's a great retraining program: Illegal loggers turn elephant protectors in Indonesia

ABC - An Indonesian group is taking an innovative approach to deforestation and retraining former illegal loggers to work as elephant keepers.

Is the oil spill like 9/11? | Poll

The Guardian - Barack Obama has compared the impact the oil spill will have on environment and energy policy to the way the terror attacks of September 11 have influenced US foreign policy. Is it a fair comparison?

Impact of B2B Green Marketing in an Increasingly Environmentally Conscious World

Environmental Leader - One could make the point that marketing is often about answering the question: %u201CWhy would someone buy your product?%u201D In B2B (business-to-business) product marketing, that question is most often answered based on one or more of the following three variables: Cheaper, Faster, Better.

EPA Plans to Ban Insecticide Endosulfan Based on New Data

Environmental Leader - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to ban the use of the insecticide endosulfan, which is used on vegetables, fruits, and cotton as well as on ornamental shrubs, trees, and herbaceous plants. The federal agency says the chemical can pose neurological and reproductive risks to farmworkers and wildlife and can persist in the environment.

Australians Swindled by 'fraudulent' Marine Park Science

ABC - The Australian public is being deceived on the effectiveness of marine parks and other fishing sanctuary zones, according to one of the nation's leading scientists.

Qld Conservationist to Train US Oil Spill Volunteers

ABC - A far north Queensland conservationist will head to the United States next week to help rescue birds affected by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Peak Oil: Politicians have 'heads in the sand'?

The Guardian - Britain's former chief scientist has attacked politicians and industry experts who have their "heads in the sand" over dwindling oil supplies. Sir David King said governments, including the UK's, were too eager to believe the optimistic predictions of economists who tell them that "oil will be squeezed out of the ground pretty much forever".

Top 9 Eco-friendly Book Picks

Ecoki - Eco-friendly book titles are now readily available. Here are our top 9 picks.

Monckton's climate denial is a gift

The Guardian - The longer this goes on, the better it will be for all those who take science seriously. Lord Monckton is digging his hole ever deeper, and dragging down into it everyone stupid enough to follow him. Those of us who do battle with climate change deniers can't inflict one tenth as much damage to their cause that Monckton wreaks every time he opens his mouth.

10 Crazy Statements about the BP Oil Spill from CEO Tony Hayward, Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin, and Don Young

Planetsave - Unfortunately, the BP oil spill in the Gulf isn't helping everybody to learn from their mistakes (or the mistakes of those who they support). Tony Hayward, Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh and Representative Don Young have a host of ridiculously sad statements so far.

The oil firms' profits ignore the real costs

The Guardian - Has BP ever made a profit? The question looks daft. The oil company posted profits of $26bn last year. There's no doubt that BP has been pumping money into the pockets of its shareholders. The question is whether this money is what the company says it is. BP calls it profit. I call it the provision the firm should be making against future liabilities. Despite an angry letter from two US senators and a warning from Barack Obama about spending big money on their shareholders while nickel-and-diming coastal people, despite the fact that it has no idea what its total liabilities in the Gulf of Mexico will be, BP seems to be planning to pay a dividend this year. It's likely to amount to more than $10bn. As the two senators noted, by moving money "off the company's books and into investors' pockets", BP "will make it much more difficult to repay the US government and American communities".

Downloads Cut Software Industry's Global Carbon Footprint by 80%

Environmental Leader - Software downloads can cut the software industry's global carbon footprint by 80 percent.

Fears grow over oil spill's long-term effects on food chain

The Guardian - As oil continues gushing from the ocean floor into the Gulf of Mexico, with no sign of stopping until a new well is finished this August, scientists, environmentalists and local residents are beginning to reckon with the reality of a massive annihilation of sea creatures and wildlife.

Who do you believe? BP clashes with scientists over deep sea oil pollution

The Guardian - BP has challenged widespread scientific claims that vast plumes of oil are spreading underwater from its blown-out rig in the Gulf of Mexico. The denial comes as the oil giant prepares for a new operation to put an end to the worst oil spill in US history %u2013 which could see the leak get worse before it gets better. The company's challenge to several scientific studies is likely to put it further at odds with an increasingly angry Obama administration, which has accused it of playing down the size of the leak in an effort to limit possible fines.

The answer: BP hit by avalanche of compensation claims over US oil spill

The Guardian - Business owners claim company ignored evidence of broken seal on Deepwater Horizon well While work continues to try to staunch the flow of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, an avalanche of class action lawsuits is descending upon BP in courthouses from Texas to Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida.

Gulf Coast warned oil may leak until August

Environmental News Network - U.S. government and BP officials are warning that the blown-out oil well causing an environmental disaster on the Gulf Coast may not be stopped until August as the company begins preparations on a new attempt to capture the leaking crude.

Big Business Getting Serious: 6,000 U.S. Companies Support Climate Legislation

CleanTechnica - They employ about 3.5 million workers and produced about $3.5 trillion in revenue last year, they include 21 Fortune 100 companies, and all 6,000 of them support energy and climate legislation.� We are talking about the number of U.S. businesses that have joined coalitions and initiatives in support of federal legislation to improve energy efficiency and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Biofuels learn to eat less

New Scientist - Production of bioethanol has attracted global controversy because it uses important food crops. That could be about to change.

Three Stages of Sustainability Leadership

Environmental Leader - There are three stages to implementing sustainability initiatives in an organization, each requiring different organizational capabilities and leadership skills.

More Wind Farms Mean Cheaper Energy

CleanTechnica - Just as we Americans are finally really and truly internalizing the real cost of sticking with fossil fuels, due to the Gulf sea floor gusher, a timely NREL study finds wind power makes electricity that's not just cleaner, but it's also much cheaper.

Obama urged to save marine life from oil

The Guardian - The Obama adminstration came under growing pressure today to save the bluefin tuna and other rare species from becoming extinct, as concern grew about the long-term environmental consequences of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

India to Launch Renewable Energy Certificates Program to Stimulate Clean Energy Growth

CleanTechnica - New regulations announced by the Indian government reward the renewable energy producers not only for the�generating�power but also for preventing emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Campaigners power renewable energy debate

ABC - Sustainable energy campaigners say now is the time to start switching Australia over to renewable power plants.

Greenland Rising as Ice Continues to Melt

Planetsave - If the current speed with which Greenland is rising continues, the figure could be as much as two inches per year by 2025 and see Greenland become the world%u2019s largest contributor to sea level rise.

Atlantic coast now under threat as current spreads Gulf oil slick

The Guardian - There was mounting evidence last night that the scale of the oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico has grown beyond all the initial worst-case scenarios, as thousands of gallons of oil continued to gush from the sea floor.

Nestle Quits Sinar Mas after Greenpeace Campaign

Environmental Leader - Nestle announced it will cease buying palm oil from suppliers linked to deforestation after a two month campaign by Greenpeace. The campaign highlighted Nestle%u2019s relationship with the Sinar Mas Group, an Indonesian chemical and lumber products conglomerate which Greenpeace has accused of illegal deforestation practices.

How to Make 25% of the World's Electricity from Solar Energy by 2050

CleanTechnica - The International Energy Agency (IEA) presented two new solar energy analyses in Valencia, Spain this week, a Solar Photovoltaic Energy Technology Roadmap and a Concentrating Solar Power Technology Roadmap. The key finding from these is that 20-25% of global electricity production could be from solar energy by 2050.

There's no right and wrong to tackling climate change

The Guardian - Mike Hulme says we need to stop looking for climate change scapegoats and start engaging in honest discussion.

No Surprise here: It is worse than BP admits: Bleeding Gulf Appears Unquenchable in Leaked Video

CleanTechnica - An amateur video made by a private citizen who had himself flown over the scene, shows clear evidence that the gushing volcano of oil from the sea floor is much, much worse than BP admits. He describes, and you can see, that the booms from the many tiny boats in this vast wrecked sea are "like teacups" in the ocean.

What a weird world they live in: "We had a contingency plan for Louisiana spill, and it's working"

The Guardian - BP insisted last night that its contingency plan had worked, despite coming under fire in Congress for minimising the risks of offshore drilling and trying to shirk blame for the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. With an estimated 4m gallons of oil polluting the gulf from the ruptured well, Lamar McKay, the chief executive of BP America, said the company had adequately anticipated the potential scale of any spill and that its clean-up operation had gone according to plan.

A slap on the wrist? MV Mimosa sailors face sentencing for Reef breach

ABC - Three foreign sailors will be sentenced on Friday for entering restricted waters off the north Queensland coast.

Lighter and more efficient: Flexible solar power is on its way

New Scientist - Stick-on solar cells about to flop off the production line could revolutionise the business of generating electricity from sunlight.

Save Thousands By Switching Printer Fonts

Environmental Leader - Large companies might save tens of thousands of dollars a year by switching to a less ink-intensive font such as Century Gothic, instead of the more common Arial.

Sustainability is good for the bottom line: Environmental Initiatives Save RSC Nearly $26M in 2009

Environmental Leader - RSC Equipment Rental saved approximately $25.8 million in 2009 by implementing several environmental initiatives ranging from an equipment refurbishment program to a tire pressure equalization system, according to the company's first CSR report.

U.S. Consumers Still Willing to Pay More for Green Products

Environmental Leader - More than one-third (35%) of U.S. consumers say they would pay more for environmentally-friendly products, according to a survey on green; living from market research firm Mintel.

It is that easy! Ford Saves $1.2M by Shutting Down PCs

Environmental Leader - Ford Motor Company's new PC Power Management program is expected to save the automaker $1.2 million and reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 16,000 to 25,000 metric tons annually.

World Water Day Roundup: Coke, Pepsi, Nestle, Nalco, EPA & More

Environmental Leader - Global corporations, as well as the EPA, have timed major water-related initiatives with World Water Day, March 22. Here is a look at some of the announcements.

Top 10 Benefits of Commercial LED Lighting

Environmental Leader - This short promotional video from Catalyst Commercial, a UK lighting firm, highlights 10 benefits for a business that switches to commercial-scale LED lighting.

How not to do it: LG accused of fridge fraud

ABC - Consumer watchdog Choice says LG Electronics has duped consumers by using an illegal device within some fridges to make them appear more energy efficient.

Simple Steps To Reducing U.S. Emissions by a Billion Tons

Environmental Leader - In an effort to get households and businesses to reduce their environmental impact, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Garrison Institute have instituted an education campaign called Simple Steps.

Litter: our legacy to future generations

The Guardian - Our grandchildren will know us by our discarded cans of Coca-Cola and packets of Walkers crisps. An organisation called "Litter Heroes" (surely the most unglamorous club in Britain?) has done something rather useful. They have traced where the crud that morons in cars chuck out of their windows originally comes from. No surprise to discover that the worst-offending brand is Coca-Cola (4.9% of all litter), followed by Walkers Crisps (4.1%) and McDonald's (3.6%).

Greenpeace Criticizes Facebook for Data Center Not Using Renewable Energy

Environmental Leader - Greenpeace is leading a campaign to get Facebook to change its strategy to power its planned data center in Prineville, Oregon, with renewable energy instead of coal by rallying support from Facebook users. Facebook plans to build its highly energy-efficient data center on a cloud computing platform that is expected to lower energy consumption.

World's Biggest Companies Cause $2.2 Trillion in Environmental Damage

Environmental Leader - The estimated cost of environmental damage by 3,000 of the world's biggest companies is about $2.2 trillion in 2008, according to a report to be released this summer, reports The Guardian.

Global warming: Undeniable evidence

The Guardian - The unwillingness of scientists at the University of East Anglia to release climate data to people who choose not to believe in climate change was a mistake. Science advances through openness, through the ability of others to replicate the same findings or demonstrate error in discovery and interpretation. The hacked email exchanges were an embarrassment, and the refusal to disclose data was a bad call, but neither episode casts much doubt upon the science of global warming. The evidence for climate change driven by man-made discharges of greenhouse gases is now decades old, has been independently confirmed by researchers all over the world, and is - as the energy secretary, Ed Miliband, said yesterday - overwhelming.

Obama Orders Government To Slash GHG Emissions 28%

Environmental Leader - President Obama has ordered the government, the largest consumer of energy in the U.S., to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 28 percent by 2020.

Ford, Coke Among 60 Firms Testing Greenhouse Gas Protocol Standards

Environmental Leader - Sixty corporations are now measuring the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of their products and supply chains by testing a new global framework that is part of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Initiative.

The bizarre: Counting burps for a cause

New Zealand Herald - It sounds rather undignified, from a sheep's perspective, but it's all in the cause of saving the planet.Hundreds of Australian sheep are to have their burp outputs measured by scientists who are hoping to breed a burp-less variety.

US cult of greed is now a global environmental threat

The Guardian - The average American consumes more than his or her weight in products each day, fuelling a global culture of excess that is emerging as the biggest threat to the planet, according to a report published today. In its annual report, Worldwatch Institute says the cult of consumption and greed could wipe out any gains from government action on climate change or a shift to a clean energy economy.

Temps to rise 3C even with a deal: leak

ABC - A UN report leaked from the Copenhagen climate talks suggests that global temperatures will rise by an average of 3 degrees Celsius even if all the emissions cuts offered so far are implemented.

Copenhagen deal teeters as final talks begin

ABC - The US climate envoy says the possibility of a deal at Copenhagen hangs in the balance.

Tiny Tuvalu outgunned by oil giant

New Zealand Herald - Declaring "it's a matter of survival", one of the world's tiniest nations, speaking for imperiled islands everywhere, took on global industrial and oil powers at the United Nations climate conference - and lost.

Low-carbon future: We can afford to go green

New Scientist - An exclusive study for New Scientist shows that westerners can radically cut carbon emissions and keep their lifestyles.

Abbott 'scaremongering' on emissions scheme

ABC - The claim that emissions trading is 'a great big tax' is a simplistic description designed to scare people, one Liberal senator says.

Attenborough pessimistic about Copenhagen

ABC - David Attenborough does not expect the UN climate summit to achieve as much as is required to halt global warming.

Climategate: Environmentalists versus climate-change deniers

Environmental Leader - There are two sides to every story as evidenced by the various opinions across the Web about the recent release of hacked emails and documents from the top climate research organization in the UK.

China sets first carbon emissions targets

The Guardian - China plans to slow emissions growth by up to 45%. PM Wen Jiabao to attend Copenhagen climate talks. The Chinese prime minister, Wen Jiabao, will attend the Copenhagen climate talks next month, the government said today, as it unveiled firm targets for curbing the world's biggest carbon footprint for the first time.

World's last bastion of stable ice now thawing

New Scientist - The East Antarctica ice sheet, which was thought to be stable, is losing billions of tonnes of ice a year.

Govts. to blame for catastrophes? Katrina court win paves way for billion-dollar payouts

New Scientist - A judge has ruled that the US federal government was to blame for much of the flooding caused by hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Antarctic icesheet losing mass

ABC - A new study has found the east Antarctic icesheet has lost billions of tonnes of ice in the past three years.

Climate change sceptics and lobbyists put world at risk, says UK top adviser

The Guardian - Climate change sceptics and fossil fuel companies that have lobbied against action on greenhouse gas emissions have squandered the world's chance to avoid dangerous global warming, a key adviser to the government has said. Professor Bob Watson, chief scientist at the department for environment and rural affairs, said a decade of inaction on climate change meant it was now virtually impossible to limit global temperature rise to 2C. He said the delay meant the world would now do well to stabilise warming between 3C and 4C.

Some good news at last? Scientists hope to turn coal into clean energy

The Guardian - Millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide could be prevented from entering the atmosphere following the discovery of a way to turn coal, grass or municipal waste more efficiently into clean fuels.

Is it possible to avoid unsustainable palm oil?

The Guardian - Palm oil is decimating the world's forests, yet producers are shirking their responsibility to move to sustainable sources.

Green Building Sector to Contribute $554B to GDP from 2009-13

Environmental Leader - While the green building industry added $173 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product from 2000-08, that's just the beginning. From 2009 to 2013, that amount will more than triple to $554 billion, according to a new report from the U.S. Green Building Council and Booz Allen Hamilton.

Hopes dim ahead of Copenhagen talks

ABC - Expectations for Copenhagen's climate change summit are being wound down.

You should never leave it to the politicians...Copenhagen to be a talk-fest!

The Guardian - A global treaty to fight climate change will be postponed by at least six months and possibly a year or more, senior negotiators and politicians conceded today. In a day of gloomy statements, the world's key industrialised nations said they had abandoned hope of a legally binding treaty at the Copenhagen summit next month and had begun to plan only for a meeting of world leaders.

Leaking oil rig on fire

ABC - A fire has broken out at an oil well that has been leaking in the Timor Sea for 10 weeks.

Climate change could cause more problems than two world wars Brown warns

Telegraph.co.uk - Climate change could cause an economic crisis that would be worse than the Great Depression and the two World Wars combined says Gordon Brown the Prime Minister.

World has less than five years to stop uncontrollable climate change - WWF

Telegraph.co.uk - The world has less than five years to get carbon emissions under control or runaway climate change will become inevitable the World Wildlife Fund WWF has warned.

More interested in trivial matters: Climate change falling off policy radar

ABC - A new poll shows that climate change is sliding down the pecking order of foreign policy issues most important to Australians.

Soros Throws $1B into Cleantech

Environmental Leader - Influential investor George Soros is a big believer in the future of clean tech and energy efficiency; so much so that he has decided to invest $1 billion into the sectors. He also is creating a new organization to influence policy makers on the environment.

Norway 1st Rich Nation to Commit to 40% Reductions

CleanTechnica - Norway committed to cut their greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2020 this week. This is the most ambitious goal of any rich nation to date. Norway's prime minister Jens Stoltenberg (just re-elected) is meeting the requests of many developing nations and environmental NGOs with this commitment.

Surprising New Survey Says 92% of Americans Want Solar Power

CleanTechnica - A new survey shows that 92% of Americans think developing and using solar power is important. The results cross political boundaries and favour solar over all other energy sources.

Well done Apple! Withdrawal from U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Environmental Leader - Becoming the first major consumer brand to make a big statement against the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's position on climate change, Apple has decided to leave the organization. In contrast to PMN and Exelon, the utilities that in recent weeks announced their intention not to renew their chamber memberships, Apple is making its exit with immediate effect.

Copenhagen agreement in doubt

ABC - There are growing fears a new global climate agreement will not be reached in Copenhagen in December.

UN: Earth will keep heating up

New Zealand Herald - Earth's temperature is likely to jump nearly 3.24C between now and the end of the century even if every country cuts greenhouse gas emissions as proposed, according to a United Nations update.

No rainforest, no monsoon: get ready for a warmer world

New Scientist - The world could become 4 degrees Celsius warmer in our lifetime bringing hunger, deforestation, drought and floods.

$3 Billion For Energy Efficiency in California

CleanTechnica - The CPUC has just approved the largest energy efficiency program in U.S. history, authorizing $3.1 billion in consumer rebates and efficiency programs over the next three years, bringing the state closer to implementing AB32, according to Lara Ettenson, director of California Energy Efficiency Policy at the NRDC.

Antarctica, Greenland endure runaway melt

Ecoki - A new study has found runaway melt at many coastal glaciers, including ones along the coastlines of Antarctica and Greenland.

China pledges climate action

ABC - China pledges to curb growth of its carbon dioxide emissions at UN climate change summit.

Better world: Consume sceptically

New Scientist - Does your money end up in the pockets of farmers, or factory owners who use slave labour?

US and Europe clash over Copenhagen deal

The Guardian - Exclusive: Key differences between the US and Europe could undermine a new worldwide treaty on global warming to replace Kyoto.

An unenviable record: Australia is New World Leader in Global Warming Emissions

CleanTechnica - Australia has passed the US as the new world leader in CO2 emissions per capita. That is not the only climate change problem in Australia, though.

Australia 'bottom of pack' on green economy

ABC - Australia is behind Mexico and Argentina in terms of its ability to meet greenhouse-gas emissions targets, a report says.

Pot plants could purify office air

Telegraph.co.uk - Pot plants could eliminate dangerous indoor air pollution caused by photocopiers printers and air conditioning units research claims.

'Contraception cheapest way to combat climate change'

Telegraph.co.uk - Here's a slightly controversial one: Contraception is almost five times cheaper as a means of preventing climate change than conventional green technologies according to research by the London School of Economics.

Coal-fired power stations 'should be scrapped'

ABC - The New South Wales Government has been urged to scrap plans for a new coal-fired power station in the Upper Hunter because carbon capture and storage will not be ready for decades.

Climate change: melting ice will trigger wave of natural disasters

The Guardian - Scientists at a London conference next week will warn of earthquakes, avalanches and volcanic eruptions as the atmosphere heats up and geology is altered. Even Britain could face being struck by tsunamis. Scientists are to outline dramatic evidence that global warming threatens the planet in a new and unexpected way %u2013 by triggering earthquakes, tsunamis, avalanches and volcanic eruptions.

Auckland supermarkets bow to plastic bag pressure

New Zealand Herald - New World and Four Square stores in Auckland have bowed to public pressure and will no longer charge for plastic packing bags. From today, their parent company Foodstuffs is dropping the five cent charge.

Award-winning dolphin doc angers locals

New Zealand Herald - An American activist and dolphin trainer, who is the star of a new award-winning documentary depicting dolphin slaughter, got an unwelcome reception when he turned up in Taiji with his film crew to draw attention to the annual dolphin hunt.

Consumers Backlash Against Ban on Incandescent Light Bulbs

Environmental News Network - A monumental ban on incandescent bulbs went into effect today throughout the European Union, marking a significant milestone in policy regarding consumer habits as a way to combat our collective impact on climate change. What is notable, however, isn't the potentially huge environmental impact this ban will have, but the large amount of resistance it is receiving.

No rain on roof of the world

ABC - Himalayan nations have held talks about mounting concern over the impact of global warming.

Major Firms Going Half-speed on CO2 Reduction

Environmental Leader - The world's largest companies' carbon-cutting targets are too modest to avoid dangerous climate change, according to a report from the Carbon Disclosure Project.

WA oil spill 'one of Australia's worst'

ABC - An oil spill in the Timor Sea off Western Australia's northern coast is shaping as one of the nation's worst.

Dolphin cull sparks flood of hate mail

ABC - Hate mail has been sent to Broome councillors of Japanese heritage over Japan's annual dolphin cull.

Extreme weather predicted for far north

ABC - The Queensland Government's new climate change policy has predicted temperatures will soar in the state's far north.

Greenpeace Exposes Oil Industry's Really Dirty Face

Planetsave - We can't expect much from the oil industry, but Greenpeace's newest finding is as ugly as it gets.

UN chief warns of Copenhagen failure

The Guardian - Yvo de Boer says process too slow to reach deal at close of meeting in Bonn aimed at trimming 200-page draft treaty

Cane toad fence proves effective

ABC - The coordinator of Frog Watch says a new fencing method has yielded success in reducing cane toads in Darwin, and may see the pest disappear from ecologically important areas around the city.

Global Emissions Up 2%

Environmental Leader - Despite worldwide efforts to cut CO2 emissions, nations spewed 1.94 percent more CO2 emissions in 2008 than in 2007, according to new analysis by German-based renewable energy industry institute IWR, or the Institute for Renewable Energy.

Consumerism is 'eating the future'

New Scientist - The main cause of the current environmental crisis is human nature, and advertising isn't helping.

Video: Aftermath of a Japanese whale hunt

New Scientist - Even Japan says the Baird's beaked whale is rare, but that doesn't stop the nation hunting the cetacean for its meat as newly released footage shows

Alaska Glaciers Shrinking Fast

Environmental News Network - Three major glaciers in Alaska and Washington state have thinned and shrunk dramatically, clear signs of a warming climate, according to a study released Thursday by the U.S. Geological Survey. The three glaciers -- Gulkana and Wolverine in Alaska and South Cascade in Washington -- are considered benchmarks for those in alpine and maritime climates because they closely parallel other glaciers in their regions. They have also been the subject of close scientific scrutiny since 1957.

California must prepare for climate change, official report warns

The Guardian - Communities should rethink development, reinforce levees and conserve water, says the California Natural Resources Agency Even if the world is successful in cutting carbon emissions in the future, California needs to start preparing for rising sea levels, hotter weather and other effects of climate change, a new state report recommends. It encourages local communities to rethink future development in low-lying coastal areas, reinforce levees that protect flood-prone areas and conserve already strapped water supplies in the most populous US state.

3.3 billion litres of water lost from pipes daily

Telegraph.co.uk - A "mind boggling" 3.3 billion litres of water is being lost every day from pipes across Britain new figures reveal.

Bottled water ban 'saves town $2.5m'

ABC - The New South Wales town which recently banned bottled water is set to save $2.5 million a year because of the move, an environmental campaigner says.

Human activity is driving Earth's 'sixth great extinction'

The Guardian - Population growth, pollution and invasive species are having a disastrous effect on species in the southern hemisphere, a major review by conservationists warns Earth is experiencing its "sixth great extinction event" with disease and human activity taking a devastating toll on vulnerable species, according to a major review by conservationists. Much of the southern hemisphere is suffering particularly badly, and Australia, New Zealand and neighbouring Pacific islands may become the extinction hot spots of the world, the report warns.

75 million to flee climate change: report

ABC - A new report says climate change could produce 75 million refugees in the Asia Pacific region in the next 40 years.

Greenpeace Says Big Brands Destroying Rainforest

Environmental Leader - A three-year investigation by Greenpeace into Brazil's cattle industry shows that the expansion of the cattle sector is driving the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest and threatens to undermine Brazil's pledge to cut deforestation by 72 percent by 2018.

Australia 'pushed' to accept whaling compromise

ABC - Anti-whaling group says the US is pressing Australia to drop its demand for Japan's so-called scientific whaling to end.

53% of Consumers Would Buck Up for Solar

Environmental Leader - Electricity consumers think that solar energy should play a greater role in the US's electricity mix, and by and large they are prepared to pay more for it. Indeed, just 41 percent of those surveyed said they would not pay more for solar energy from their utility provider.

Who is the Greenest PC Maker in the World?

Environmental Leader - Analysts say going green has become a business plan for some of the biggest personal computer (PC) makers as a way to differentiate themselves from their competition, reports Reuters. The 'green' talk is going over the top as computer makers spar with one another over who has the most 'green' platform.

Fielding unconvinced as carbon vote looms

ABC - Family First Senator Steve Fielding says he does not intend to vote in favour of the Govt's emissions trading scheme.

Earth's coastlines after sea-level rise, 4000 AD

New Scientist - Even if we could freeze-frame the atmosphere as it is today, sea levels would still rise by 25 metres, says the latest study into the effects of climate change on melting ice sheets

Nissan to make electric cars in U.S.

Environmental News Network - Nissan Motor Co plans to launch production of electric vehicles and their batteries in the United States to tap low-interest loans for green vehicles, the Nikkei business daily said. The overall investment is estimated at 50 billion yen ($516.4 million) and may rise to 100 billion yen, it said.

Explore how climate change might affect the US

New Scientist - The US government has released a detailed report on how climate change could affect the nation - interactive map available.

Wong denies stalling on renewable energy

ABC - The Government has rejected suggestions that its own political tactics are to blame for a delay in renewable energy legislation.

Councils give up on e-waste collections

ABC - Sydney's northern beach councils will stop collecting or disposing of electronic waste, such as computers or television sets, in a bid to put pressure on the Federal Government.

Why Japan's whaling activities are not research

New Scientist - Japan has long claimed that it catches whales to further science, but this is nonsense, say Nichola Raihani and Tim Clutton-Brock

Carbon Management Drives Need for New Business Solution

Environmental Leader - A new information systems category, Carbon Management Solutions (CMS), is rapidly emerging as businesses try to understand their carbon footprint and the importance of carbon as an asset or liability, according to a new report by AltaTerra Research, Palo Alto, Calif.

Wong adamant on June carbon vote

ABC - Climate Change Minister Penny Wong says the Government will not back away from putting its carbon trading scheme to the Senate this month.

Pacific climate resolution backed by UN - Australia should act on resolution at upcoming Pacific Islands Forum

Friends of the Earth - Friends of the Earth has welcomed the unanimous support for a resolution passed overnight in the General Assembly of the United Nations, urging action on the security implications of climate change.

Methanol challenges hydrogen to be fuel of the future

New Scientist - Despite intense research, the hydrogen economy remains an elusive dream, but a greener way to manufacture methanol is a reminder there are other options

The Most Destructive Project on Earth: Chevron Escapes Tar Oil Accountability

Planetsave - San Ramon, CA - Much will be said at the Chevron Corporation's shareholder conference this week; the agenda is full. However, there will be little said about Chevron's involvement in controversial projects concerning tar sand. Despite the requests of shareholders owning $31.4 billion dollars, Chevron will remain quiet, keeping the Alberta tar sand projects off the agenda.

CO2 levels may cause underwater catastrophe

Telegraph.co.uk - Changes to the ocean caused by carbon dioxide emissions could lead to an "underwater catastrophe" damaging wildlife food production and livelihoods scientists are warning.

Protesters vow to stop illegal Red Gum Logging

Friends of the Earth - Environmentalists and Traditional Owners have established a peaceful direct action camp today, monday June 1, vowing to prevent further logging in the Millewa Red Gum wetlands on the Murray River in NSW.

Alcohol makes autos more climate-friendly

New Scientist - A slug of the hard stuff can make gasoline engines as fuel efficient as a petrol-electric hybrid, says Ford

Companies Boost Recycling Efforts Despite Slow Economy

Environmental Leader - Organisations are increasingly putting more effort into their recycling programs for all types of materials such as aluminium cans, fluorescent lamps, wood waste and scrap metal. Along with saving the environment, some companies are also turning a profit.

Chrysler, Ford Seek Green Advances in Vehicles

Environmental Leader - Chrysler, which has operated from bankruptcy since April 30, is seeking another lifeline from the [US] government, as it submits a $448 million plan to accelerate development of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids by 2010. The plan calls for $83 million toward construction of a new technology and manufacturing center in Michigan.

Emissions scheme would create 30,000 jobs: report

ABC - The Climate Institute has released a report showing the Federal Government's emissions trading scheme and other environmental policies will create tens of thousands of jobs.

Growing biofuel without razing the rainforest

New Scientist - You can't cultivate biofuel crops without cutting down trees, right? Not so, says Marcos Buckeridge, who tells Jan Rocha how Brazil can supply the world with green ethanol

Epic cycle ride to search for solutions to climate change throughout the Americas

Telegraph.co.uk - Environmentalists are to cycle the length of the Americas from Alaska to Argentina in search of solutions to global warming.

Global warming of 7C 'could kill billions this century'

Telegraph.co.uk - Global temperatures could rise by more than 7C this century killing billions of people and leaving the world on the brink of total collapse according to new research.

Australia to Build World's Largest Solar Power Station

Environmental Leader - Australia plans to build the world's largest solar power station with an output of 1000 megawatts, said Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, at a press conference at the Liddell Power Station, reports Reuters. The A$1.4 billion ($1.05 billion) investment in solar energy is part of Australia's wider A$4.65 billion clean energy initiative by the government.

Land clearances turned up the heat on Australian climate

New Scientist - Thanks to deforestation by European settlers, Australia's droughts are more extreme than they would be otherwise, models suggest

Climate change diagnosed as biggest global health threat

New Scientist - Doctors warn that global warming will worsen virtually every health problem we know of over the coming century

Govt to introduce carbon trade bill

ABC - The Federal Government is still to convince the Opposition and minor parties to support its revised emissions trading scheme (ETS) legislation.

Federal budget 2009: good on solar, transport, foreign aid.

Friends of the Earth - National environmental organisation Friends of the Earth Australia has commended the Federal Government for two key investment components of the budget: solid funding for solar power and a shift towards greater investment in public transport. Sadly, this funding is far short of what climate science tells us is required if we are to respond to the looming crisis of global warming.

Cost of solar energy will match fossil fuels by 2013

The Guardian - Solar energy will fall in price to match the cost of conventional fossil fuel electricity far sooner than previously expected, the UK's largest solar company has claimed in a new report.

Australian scientists release reef protection rules

ABC - A group of Australian scientists has released a set of rules it hopes will be adopted universally to better protect the world's reefs.

ACT sets carbon neutral target

ABC - The ACT Government has set an ambitious goal to achieve zero net greenhouse gas emissions in the Territory but it will not say when it hopes to reach the target.

Toxic Dolphins Found in Miami

Planetsave - Scientists found unusually high levels of flame retardant in dolphin blubber. The closer the dolphins lived to downtown Miami, the more of the chemical was concentrated in them. The flame retardant can cause sterility in dolphins. Brominated flame retardants are applied to furniture, clothes and electronics to prevent them from burning. They also help slow the ignition of items that are in a burning room.

China Outpaces U.S. in Cleaner Coal-Fired Plants

Environmental News Network - China's frenetic construction of coal-fired power plants has raised worries around the world about the effect on climate change. China now uses more coal than the United States, Europe and Japan combined, making it the world's largest emitter of gases that are warming the planet.

Brazil's other big forest in dire straits

New Scientist - Often obscured by the glare of publicity that surrounds the Amazon rainforest, the Atlantic forest is a biodiversity hotspot - and it's in very bad shape

Obama's Final Budget Calls for 100% Auction of Carbon Permits

Environmental Leader - President Obama's final $3.6 trillion budget blueprint, released May 7, retains the controversial provision that all permits for carbon emissions will be auctioned. Many in Congress are pushing for at least half of the permits to be given away.

E-Waste to Peak in 2015

Environmental Leader - The e-waste crisis will worsen over the next several years until 2015, when volume will peak at 73 million metric tons, according to a new report from Pike Research. However, the firm forecasts that global volumes will decline in 2016 and beyond, as a number of key e-waste initiatives begin to turn the tide.

Homes to get $10,000 'green loans'

news.com.au - Households will be given low-interest $10,000 loans to green up their homes under a Federal Government scheme to be detailed tomorrow. Up to 200,000 homes are expected to be eligible for the $300 million loans scheme.

Electric City Bus Exceeds 21 MPG Equivalent

Environmental Leader - For a vehicle weighing more than 36,000 pounds (with passengers), a new electric city bus delivered an impressive equivalent of more than 21 miles per gallon. The FCBE 35 Proterra electric bus, currently going through tests in Altoona, Penn., delivers 400 percent better performance than comparable conventional and hybrid bus options, reports AutoBlogGreen.

Trash talks: Call for national strategy on e-waste

ABC - Environmentalists and businesses want government to develop a national strategy to deal with e-waste.

Australia delays carbon trading scheme

The Guardian - Australia's government has postponed taxing polluting industries by a year until 2011 because of the economic slowdown and concerns it would hurt business, the prime minister said today.

Australia's carbon emissions trading scheme falls victim to recession

Telegraph.co.uk - Australia will delay a planned carbon emissions trading scheme by one year bowing to pressure from the opposition and major polluters to put off the project while the country fights to recover from the global recession.

Nation urged to follow SA bag ban

ABC - South Australia's plastic bag ban has pushed Australia to a tipping point and bags should be banned nationwide, supporters say.

Farmers 'losing patience' on Murray-Darling water reform

ABC - The state and federal governments have been told farmers are losing patience over delays in implementing sections of a joint policy on water reform for the Murray-Darling Basin.

Humanity's carbon budget set at one trillion tonnes

New Scientist - To avoid dangerous climate change, we must burn no more than 25% of remaining fossil fuel reserves, two comprehensive new studies show

'New ecosystem' found in Steve Irwin reserve

ABC - Researchers working on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in far north Queensland say they think they have uncovered a new ecosystem.

How to turn greenhouse gas into a clean fuel

New Scientist - A new process converts carbon dioxide into methanol, without the need for extreme temperatures and pressures

Swine flu: Is intensive farming to blame?

The Guardian - Finger pointing towards intensive farming is spreading like the H1N1 virus itself; it's time for an urgent inquiry to find out the facts.

Oceans becoming acidic 'at fastest rate for 65 million years'

Telegraph.co.uk - The oceans are becoming more acidic at a faster rate than for 65 million years as a result of climate change a report warns.

Arctic CO2 levels growing at an 'unprecedented rate'

The Guardian - Figures from a measuring station in northern Norway show that CO2 levels are increasing by 2-3 parts per million every year. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has reached a record high, according to the latest figures released by an internationally regarded measuring station in the Arctic.

25% of North American Firms Say No to Offsets Thru 2012

Environmental Leader - A new survey indicates that more and more companies are purchasing carbon offsets. The trend is bigger in Europe than North America and elsewhere in the world, according to the Forest Carbon Offsetting Survey 2009. The survey, by EcoSecurities, sampled 120 global, multinational and regional organisations, along with 21 carbon companies, according to a press release.

The truth about climate change

The Guardian - Vested interests have tried to spread misinformation about global warming, but scientific evidence shows urgent action is needed. Many people ask how sure we are about the science of climate change. The most definitive examination of the scientific evidence is to be found in the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and its last major report published in 2007.

USDA launches first survey for organic farmers

Ecoki - The USDA is set to launch it's first-ever survey of organic farming across the United States to explore organic farming and its relationship with U.S. agriculture. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on Thursday that it's a direct response to the increasing interest in organics - from consumers to farmers, as well as businesses.

Drowning in plastic: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is twice the size of France

Telegraph.co.uk - There are now 46000 pieces of plastic per square kilometre of the world's oceans killing a million seabirds and 100000 marine mammals each year. Worse still there seems to be nothing we can do to clean it up. So how do we turn the tide?

Opposition calls for measuring of 'green jobs'

ABC - There is a call today for the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to develop agreed definitions for 'green jobs'.

Younger Generation Passes on 'Green' to Save Cash

Environmental Leader - Though conventional wisdom suggests that the Millennial generation (ages 13-29) is leading the charge to make Earth a better place, a survey from Generate Insight finds that despite being the most environmentally educated, younger members of this generation are not taking action on what they know because they are often confused about green products.

Microsoft Cutting CSR PR Budget

Environmental Leader - Microsoft is cutting its European PR budget for corporate social responsibility activities, instead applying funds to promoting products like Windows 7, Office and Xbox, reports PRWeek. PRWeek reports that similar cuts are in the works in Asia and that they are "imminent" in the United States.

Climate change could speed up as pollution decreases

Telegraph.co.uk - Global warming could speed up as the world becomes cleaner scientists have warned after new research found plants absorb more greenhouse gases when the air is polluted.

River levels, climate change linked in study

ABC - Scientists say water levels in some of the world's most important rivers have fallen sharply in recent decades.

Why Antarctic ice is growing despite global warming

Environmental News Network - It's the southern ozone hole whatdunit. That's why Antarctic sea ice is growing while at the other pole, Arctic ice is shrinking at record rates. It seems CFCs and other ozone-depleting chemicals have given the South Pole respite from global warming.

EPA to Begin Energy Star Ratings for Data Centers

Environmental Leader - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is developing an energy performance rating system for data centers, tentatively planned for early 2010, according to a ComputerWorld article written by Michael Zatz, manager of Energy Star commercial buildings at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. With the rating system, data center operators will be able to assess the energy use

Prince Charles to publish attack on big business in eco book and documentary

The Guardian - The Prince of Wales is to make a scathing attack on big business' environmental impact with the launch of a new book and documentary film. The book, called Harmony, is due to be published in 2010 by HarperCollins and the prince is reportedly waiving his author's fee, although royalties will go to his charitable foundation, The Prince's Trust.