Health-Garden.com brings you easy to find nutrition facts of fruit and vegetables plus some tables to compare the nutrition facts like vitamins, minerals and other facts presented in tables so you can look up for example what fruit or vegetable has most of vitamin B6 for example or the most potassium or magnesium for example. To check out Health-Garden.com click here. (more)
Smart Buildings Make Smooth Moves
Wired News reports here: Architects develop shape-shifting structures that morph in response to changing weather, fluctuating temperatures and differing uses. Imagine a skyscraper that braces itself in gusty winds, or a house that shakes the snow from its roof.
Top scientist's fears for climate
BBC News reports here: One of America's top scientists has said that the world has already entered a state of dangerous climate change.
In his first broadcast interview as president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, John Holdren told the BBC that the climate was changing much faster than predicted. "We are not talking anymore about what climate models say might happen in the future. (more)
California unveils global warming plan
The Associated Press reports here at Yahoo News: California will impose broad caps on its greenhouse-gas emissions under a landmark plan that marks a clear break with the federal government and which backers hope will become a national model.
Real Estate Firms Buy Credits for Wind Power
The Washington Postreports here : Two real estate firms announced yesterday that they had committed to purchasing credits for power generated from wind farms to cover the energy needs of their joint headquarters in Bethesda and an office building in downtown Washington. Lerner Enterprises and the Tower Cos. said the decision to buy green energy should help them and their tenants save money as well as set an example for other companies seeking an environmentally friendly alternative to electricity from plants powered by nuclear or fossil fuels.
Scrap cars creating toxic waste
BBC News reports here: As many as 1.5 million cars are being scrapped illegally in Britain every year, presenting a major environmental hazard, the BBC has learned. Thousands of tonnes of toxic waste are being created by drivers who fail to dispose of their vehicles in the way demanded by the European Union. Opposition parties say the government must act - or risk being taken to court by the European Commission.
Global Warming a Boon for Greenland's Farmers
Spiegel Online reports here: Known for its massive ice sheets, Greenland is feeling the effects of global warming as rising temperatures have expanded the island's growing season and crops are flourishing. For the first time in hundreds of years, it has become possible to raise cattle and start dairy farms.
Europe's Underwater Chemical Dump
Spiegel Online reports here: Some 3,500 barrels of mercury have been found in the Baltic Sea off the coast of Sweden. There may be thousands more to be discovered. Experts say the sea is full of industrial waste -- but nobody knows how much.
The Curse of Natural Resources
Spiegel Online writes here: Many countries with enormous reserves of oil, gas or precious metals, are plagued with disproportionate poverty, corruption and mismanagement. Would the people in Nigeria, Congo or Russia be better off without their natural gifts?
Melting ice dilutes northern seas
BBC News reports here: Freshwater pouring into northern oceans is slowly turning high-latitude waters less salty. Shrinking ice sheets and melting glaciers are partly responsible for the freshening effect, a review in the journal Science has confirmed. If salinity levels continue to drop, dramatic changes to the North Atlantic currents could occur.
US Eco-Awareness?
Spiegel Online writes here: Hurricane Katrina, which destroyed New Orleans and killed hundreds of people, has made US citizens far more aware of the environment. Green has become fashionable even among conservative politicians and the religious right.
EU threatens car makers with legislation to meet Co2 emissions
AFP reports here at Yahoo News: The European Commission threatened to impose legislation on the automobile industry if car makers fail to respect their commitments to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Carbon dioxide emissions -- a major cause of global warming -- from new cars have declined since 1995, but the EU's executive body said the industry appeared unlikely to cut them to 140 grammes per kilogramme by 2008-2009. "The situation is not satisfactory. I urge industry to step up their efforts. We expect that industry sticks to its commitments," said EU enterprise commissioner Guenter Verheugen Tuesday.
Caribbean 'faces stormier future'
BBC News reports here: Latin America and the Caribbean face a greater risk of more natural disasters because of environmental degradation and climate change, campaigners warn. A report by a coalition of environment and aid groups said the region's weather was becoming less predictable and often more extreme. Evidence showed many areas were more vulnerable because depleted ecosystems were struggling to adapt, they argued.
Pope urges 'take more care of the environment'
POPE Benedict XVI warned today that damage to the environment has dire consequences for the poor, and called for all Christians to work to save the earth. The Daily Telegraph reports here : "Damage to the environment makes the life of the poor on Earth particularly unbearable," the Pope said, calling on all Christians to take care of the earth and not deplete its resources, sharing them in solidarity.
Third of China 'hit by acid rain'
BBC News reports here: One third of China is suffering from acid rain caused by rapid industrial growth, an official report quoted by the state media says. Pollution levels have risen and air quality has deteriorated, the report found. This comes despite a pledge by the authorities to clean up the air.
'Pay as you throw' call for waste
BBC News reports here: Councils should be given powers to charge households for getting rid of non-recyclable rubbish, a think tank has urged the government. The Institute for Public Policy Research said a "pay as you throw" system was the only way to improve the UK's poor recycling record.
Warming 'more severe' for cities
BBC News reports here: The impact of climate change is likely to be more severe in major cities, with the elderly most at risk, according to a study commissioned for the Greater London Authority and obtained exclusively by the BBC Ten O'Clock News. The predicted rise in temperatures in the coming decades will be exacerbated by what scientists call the "urban heat island effect", in which temperatures during heatwaves can be 6-7C higher in cities than in surrounding areas.
The End of the Oil Era Looms
Spiegel Online reports here: Oil, uranium, gold and platinum are more sought after than ever today. The search for natural resources is becoming increasingly difficult and prices are soaring. But future growth of the world economy depends on these natural resources -- and some will soon disappear forever.
Here comes the biodegradable fork
A start-up develops new plastics derived from cornstarch. Stick the fork in the ground, it'll turn into compost. Here comes the biodegradable fork. For more info see this report here at CNET News.com: Some people want to take fossil fuel out of cars. Frederic Scheer is taking it out of picnicware.
Ozone hole stable, say scientists
BBC News reports here: Leading scientists in the United States say the hole in the ozone layer of the Earth's atmosphere above the Antarctic appears to have stopped widening. The ozone layer blocks the Sun's ultra-violet rays, exposure to which is harmful to humans, animals and plants. International agreements were reached to end the use of ozone-depleting chemicals called CFCs after the hole was discovered in 1986. It is hoped the hole may "heal" fully over the next 60 years.
How travelers can support environment
Visiting an eco-lodge in a rainforest somewhere may sound appealing. But when you consider that carbon dioxide emissions from airplanes are a major contributor to global warming, you might do more for the environment by staying home. While you're at it, cut out the road trips in that gas-guzzling car. If staying home isn't an option, however, here are three things you can do to start traveling in a more environmentally responsible way. See this article here at Yahoo News By BETH J. HARPAZ, AP Travel Editor for some answers.
Oil Sands in Canada
Spiegel Online reports here: The Canadian province of Alberta contains massive amounts of oil sands. But extracting the petroleum contained in them is costly and harmful to the environment. Still, the sands are a temptation oil companies can't resist. They're investing billions in order to secure the abundant source of energy.
Cell phone recycling brings tech to developing world
CNN News reports here: With the number of cell phones in use worldwide hitting 2 billion and rising, recycled phones are playing a crucial role in the spread of wireless communications across the developing world, where land lines can be costly or unavailable.
The odds are good that a refurbished cell phone in the pocket of a user in Bolivia, Jamaica, Kenya, Ukraine or Yemen originated with ReCellular Inc. Based in small-town Michigan, ReCellular gets 75,000 used phones a week -- most collected in charity fundraisers -- and refurbishes them for sale around the world.
Dying salt marshes puzzle scientists
The Associated Press reports here at Yahoo News: Ecologists warn that saltwater marshes from Maine to Connecticut are suddenly and inexplicably dying, leaving behind land resembling honeycombs, Swiss cheese or an eroded desert landscape.Salt marshes are wetlands dominated by plant life sheltered from surf and capable of living where coastal waters fluctuate. Losing a marsh means eliminating a habitat for hundreds of fish, birds, shellfish and mammals and destroying a buffer capable of weakening a hurricane's destructive surge.
Climate linked to plague increase
BBC News reports here: Climatic changes could lead to more outbreaks of bubonic plague among human populations, a study suggests. Researchers found that the bacterium that caused the deadly disease became more widespread following warmer springs and wetter summers.
Map details global water stress
The alarming extent of water scarcity across the world is detailed in a map compiled by a leading environmental think tank.
It shows two key types of scarcity; water is said to be either physically scarce or economically scarce. The map appears in a report by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) on the use of water in agriculture. See the map here is this article at the BBC News website.
This Global Warming Fix Stinks
A Nobel laureate gives credence to a malodorous solution to global warming: shooting sulfur into the Earth's atmosphere. You can read yhis article by Elizabeth Svoboda here at Wired News.com.
Scientists Disagree On Link Between Storms, Warming
Same Data, Different Conclusions, The Washington Post writes here: A year after Hurricane Katrina and other major storms battered the U.S. coast, the question of whether hurricanes are becoming more destructive because of global warming has become perhaps the most hotly contested question in the scientific debate over climate change.
U.S. Rice Supply Contaminated
Genetically Altered Variety Is Found in Long-Grain Rice, the Washington Post reports here: Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced late yesterday that U.S. commercial supplies of long-grain rice had become inadvertently contaminated with a genetically engineered variety not approved for human consumption.
Artificial Reefs Made With Sunken Subway Cars, Navy Ships
National Geographic News reports here: Along the Atlantic coast from New Jersey to Georgia, thousands of fish are crammed into subway cars—but they're going nowhere fast, and recreational fishers couldn't be happier. The subway cars, along with armored tanks, naval ships, tugboats, and a large amount of concrete culverts, were strategically dumped in the ocean to serve as artificial reefs.
Japan sees biodiesel boost with new fuel standards
Reuters reports here at Yahoo News: Japan the world's third-largest oil consumer, will set out nationwide biodiesel standards this year in an effort to kick-start demand, but will not force refiners to sell it, government officials said on Thursday. (more)
Ice-powered air conditioner could cut costs
News.com asks here: Can an ice-powered air conditioner take the edge off scorching summer electrical bills? A young company called Ice Energy has developed an energy-storage system that uses a tank of water to cut down on the power required for air conditioning by 30 percent.
Understanding the Antarctic ozone hole
Scientists and many others are concerned about Antarctica's annual ozone hole because ozone blocks harmful ultraviolet energy from reaching the Earth. But, when ozone is near the ground it's considered "bad" because it's harmful. It's air pollution. See the sarticle Understanding the Antarctic ozone hole here at the USA Today website.
Chinese drought affects millions
BBC News reports here: At least 18 million people have been affected by China's worst drought in 50 years, according to the state news agency Xinhua. (more)
Natural Resources are Fuelling a New Cold War
Spiegel Online writes here: Oil and gas supplies are becoming scarcer and more expensive. The hunt for the world's remaining resources is creating new alliances and the danger of fresh conflicts. China is moving aggressively to sate its growing appetite for energy, potentially setting up a confrontation with the United States for the dwindling resources of the Middle East and Africa.
Scientists: Ozone won't recover until 2065
AP reports here at CNN News: The atmosphere will take up to 15 years longer than previously expected to recover from pollution and repair its ozone hole over the southern hemisphere, the United Nations' weather organization said Friday. (more)
Light Pollution
BBC News writes here: Light pollution is wasted artificial light; light that shines where it is neither needed nor wanted. Most light fittings waste a large fraction of the light they produce. More than 300 megawatts worth of light is wasted skywards from UK streetlights alone, at an annual cost of about £100m ($190m). One medium-sized coal-fired power station is required to solely generate that wasted energy, which results in a million tonnes of carbon dioxide pollution being pumped into the atmosphere each year.
Alarm sounded for farmland birds
BBC News reports here: The latest health check on UK bird numbers paints an alarming picture of decline in several threatened species.
Of 26 bird species targeted for special conservation efforts in 1995, nine - including the song thrush - are bouncing back. But the rest - including the skylark and turtle dove - are either still in decline or have only stable numbers.
An Inconvenient Truth
Book Description: Our climate crisis may at times appear to be happening slowly, but in fact it is happening very quickly-and has become a true planetary emergency. (more)
Fuel Efficiency Won't Kill You
An op-ed in the Detroit Free Press would have us believe that driving fuel-efficient cars is killing us, but he is dead wrong.
For details see this wired blog article here.
Big Green Bus: Roadtrip for the Environment
ABC News reports here: For the second year in a row, a group of environmental science and engineering students at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire are on a 10-week, cross-country trip in a school bus modified to run on vegetable oil. They've been on the road since June 13 and will complete their trip on Aug. 28. (more)
These recyclable boots are made for walking.... and more walking…
A project to recycle old shoes for making new footwear or even for generating energy – is being spearheaded by Loughborough University.
Researchers at Loughborough are looking at ways of recycling some of the 17 billion pairs of shoes that are made every year worldwide. Of these, most end up in landfill sites after just one or two years. (more)
Road builders get butterfly guide
The Top Ten most Eco Friendly Cars
Verkehrsclub Deutschland e.V. (VCD) tested 350 cars to find the most eco friendly vehicles. Here is an artcle from Spiegel Online about this test in German. Remember also to see our main site Ecotoolbox.com for some tips on how to save resources.
The Top Ten most Eco Friendly Cars are:
1. Honda Civic Hybrid
2. Toyota Prius
3. Citroën C1 1.0
4. Peugeot 107 Petit Filou 70
5. Toyota Aygo
6. Daihatsu Cuore 1.0
7. VW Polo Blue Motion
8. Daihatsu Sirion 1.0
9. Toyota Yaris 1.0
10. Toyota Yaris 1.3
Nano firm reduces diesel fumes, improves mileage
News.com reports here: The smell of diesel fumes is pervasive in the developing world, but a fuel additive from the United Kingdom may take the edge off the aroma.
Water shortage 'a global problem'
BBC News reports here: "A report from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) warns that rich countries face increasing water shortages.
A combination of climate change and poor resource management is leading to water shortages in even the most developed countries, it says. It urges water conservation on a global scale and asks rich states to set an example by repairing ageing water infrastructure and tackling pollution." For some tips how and where you can help see this page here on saving water.
Mediterranean oil spill prompts crisis meeting
Yahoo News reports here: Officials from the United Nations, European Union and a maritime organization are set to meet in Greece Thursday to map out a strategy for containing a massive Mediterranean oil spill caused by the conflict in Lebanon. Nearly 15,000 tons of leaked oil from the Jiyyeh electric plant, bombed by Israel last month, has polluted some 140 kilometers (87 miles) of the Lebanese coast and spread north into Syrian waters, according to the United Nations Environment Programme.
Bringing back the woolly mammoth
AP Reports here at Yahoo News: Descendants of extinct mammals like the giant woolly mammoth might one day walk the Earth again. It isn't exactly Jurassic Park, but Japanese researchers are looking at the possibility of using sperm from frozen animals to inseminate living relatives. link
'More disasters' for warmer world
BBC News reports here: Rising temperatures will increase the risk of forest fires, droughts and flooding over the next two centuries, UK climate scientists have warned. Even if harmful emissions were cut now, many parts of the world would face a greater risk of natural disasters, a team from Bristol University said.
Water waste 'threatens wildlife'
BBC News reports here: Water wastage needs to be tackled to prevent the "devastating effects" shortages can have on the environment and wildlife, campaigners have warned. The impact of the current drought in England has been made worse by leaks, careless household use and "needless" land drainage, they say. "Managing water in this sane way could prevent the need for costly and environmentally damaging new infrastructure and reduce the overall environmental impact of supplying us with water," said RSPB water policy officer Phil Burston, the report's author.
Related check out also the Water calculator: Find out how much water your household uses in a day. See also here the The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds website.
Top ten tips for greener driving
Co-operative Insurance (CIS), has put together its top ten tips for greener driving. Climate change and environmental issues are high on the Government agenda hence motorists driving polluting ‘gas guzzlers’, are facing the threat of further increases in car tax in the not too distant future. With this in mind, leading ethical financial services provider Co-operative Insurance (CIS), has put together its top ten tips for greener driving that can be found here.
Global Dimming
You can find this here at the BBC Website: Horizon producer David Sington on why predictions about the Earth's climate will need to be re-examined. And the FAQ here: Questions and answers about global dimming. I highly recommend you watch this program on BBC whenever you have a chance. (more)
Can Arnold Terminate Emissions?
Spiegel Online asks here: In a move many Europeans have hailed as a snub of Bush's environmental policy, British Prime Minister Tony Blair last week signed a deal with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to move towards a transatlantic emissions trading market. But would such a market be feasible?
Greenland melt 'speeding up'
Greenland's ice sheet is melting three times faster than two years ago, according to satellite data. BBC News reports here: Data from a US space agency (Nasa) satellite show that the melting rate has accelerated since 2004. If the ice cap were to completely disappear, global sea levels would rise by 6.5m (21 feet).